Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna says his players are looking forward to tonight’s game under the lights at Portman Road against Championship leaders Leicester City.
The Blues are hoping to put Saturday’s 0-4 defeat to Leeds United behind them, although they have a very tough task ahead of them tonight. Enzo Maresco’s charges travel to Suffolk after five consecutive wins, which have put them six points clear at the top of the standings.
McKenna is keen to focus on the occasion, although he believes his team will be ready for the Foxes when they take to the IP1 pitch.
“How we are looking forward to this game,” he said.
“It’s Boxing Day, we’re at home, a full stadium. Of course it’s a tough opponent but we love playing at home, we love playing at Portman Road.
“It’s always something special for these players, but on Boxing Day it’s always a great opportunity. It was the same last year when we played Oxford.
“We’re really looking forward to the game. We’ll prepare as well and as professionally as we can and it’s a challenge we’re really looking forward to.”
With the game coming so soon after the away fixture at Elland Road, McKenna may want to change team to keep fresh.
City’s squad is big enough to make changes and this will be crucial ahead of the upcoming games against QPR and Stoke City in the next few days. The players who will start against Leicester tonight will have to give their all to get a result and the Northern Irishman wants the fans to do the same.
“It will be very important,” he admitted.
“To play against Leicester with how good they were and how strong they were, we know it will take every drop of effort we have on the ground.
“We will need that from the fans as well. They have been fantastic at home and have created a great atmosphere.
“It’s helped us to have a really good home record, and we’ll definitely need all of that and everything on Tuesday night.”