Sunderland Preview

By Aston
April 15 2005

Team News and more ahead of Town’s top three clash with Sunderland at Portman Road Sunday, Kick-off 12 noon.

Town will be looking to bounce back from Monday’s 2-0 defeat against Wolves and close the gap with Sunderland to just 2 points, Town have one major injury doubt ahead of the game midfielder Ian Westlake will face a late fitness test on a knee injury he picked up playing against wolves.

Town manager Joe Royle insists Sunday is not a must win, saying: “It is only a must-win inasmuch as we need to exorcise the first 20 minutes of the other night but, mathematically, it is not a must-win. A must-win will be if it is the last game of the season and we need three points.

“Sunderland are a very organised side and will play as they always do with two banks of four.

“They will try to hit us quickly on the break. They have had a lot of away wins by hitting sides on the break and we will be aware of that.

“They are built on a solid back four, who are all internationals, and have two top keepers. I have a lot of respect for what Mick has done up there.”

Sunderland can open up a possible 8 point gap over Town and Wigan with a win on Sunday but they may have to do it with out a goalkeeper as all 4 of their goalkeepers injured, Liam Lawrence is also a doubt for Mick McCarthy’s men.

Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy believes most of the pressure is on Town, saying : “This is a home game for Ipswich and there's a hell of a lot of pressure on them to win.

“And unless they get off to a good start, they're playing well and the crowd are up and behind them, it can make things quite difficult.

“We've got to go there and make sure that they have a tough time of it.

“Ipswich know that if we win on Sunday then the promotion race is virtually done with.

“That will put a bit more pressure on them, although I don't think it eases any on us!

“There's no getting away from the fact that this is a significant game and I think it will be a tense one.”

Town squad: Darren Bent, Pablo Couñago, Darren Currie, Kelvin Davis, Jason De Vos, Kevin Horlock, Shefki Kuqi, Jim Magilton, Tommy Miller, Richard Naylor, Lewis Price, Matt Richards, James Scowcroft, David Unsworth, Ian Westlake, Fabian Wilnis.

Leicester Vs Wigan is the only other game of interest to Town fans this weekend.

Source: EADT and Sunderland today.

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