Preview: Town - Pompey

By Aston
January 6 2006

STB brings you team news, manager previews, betting odds and the officials ahead of Towns FA Cup Third Round Tie against Portsmouth tomorrow (KO 3pm).

Town are still short on numbers up front with, Adam Proudlock, Nicky Forster, Dean Bowditch and Sam Parkin all out while Dean McDonald is cup tied while Jim Magilton and Sito are doubts.

 

Town manager Joe Royle: “I'm looking forward to see Harry Redknappski on Saturday, I'm not sure how Portsmouth will approach the game. We know Premiership survival is their main aim but they have named a strong squad and I'm sure Harry will want to win the game.

 

“It's got the makings of a great Cup-tie. I said last week that we are working our way back to our best form.

 

“The performance at Stoke was a giant leap towards that. We were outstanding.

 

“There are one or two selections to make, not least in goal where we are blessed with having two excellent young 'keepers.

 

“We have options in midfield, Richard Naylor is back from suspension but we are short in attack with only Danny Haynes really available.

 

“There is a lot in the mix for this game and we're going to give it a real go because we could do with a decent Cup run.”

 

Town squad: Scott Barron, Darren Currie, Jason De Vos, Owen Garvan, Danny Haynes, Kevin Horlock, Jimmy Juan, Jim Magilton, Richard Naylor, Lewis Price, Matt Richards, Luis Sito, Shane Supple, Ian Westlake, Gavin Williams, Fabian Wilnis.

 

Portsmouth are without: ‘keeper Jamie Ashdown and defender Linvoy Primus. Dejan Stefanovic and Richard Hughes have been playing with injuries recently but miss the game.

 

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp: “We are in the FA Cup however and want to do well because apart from anything else it can lift you but we don't want to be suffering injuries or playing a lot more matches at the expense of the league programme.

 

“We did not have a bad run at Southampton last year but ultimately the club went down and though you would not say this was a decisive factor  I'm sure if you asked anyone they would have forfeited a couple of rounds for staying up.

 

“At the end of the day the league is our bread and butter and we have more massive games coming up against Everton and Birmingham in the coming weeks which we absolutely need to get results from.

 

“However we are going there to win the game because the other alternatives are drawing, which we don't really need and losing which is not in my nature.

 

“It will be a tricky game and though they are having a tough time Ipswich will be fancying themselves and really be up for it.

 

“For them a good cup run would be a real bonus and Joe Royle will have them up for it.

 

“We have to make sure that we put other things aside on the day and put in a professional and competitive performance to get the right result.”

 

Match odds from William Hill:

Town: 7/4

Draw: 11/5

Pompey: 5/4

 

Referee: Dermot Gallagher (Oxfordshire)

 

Sources: Ipswich Town and Portsmouth FC – the official websites.

 

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