Matt Holland has tipped his former club Ipswich Town to battle for promotion for the second Championship season in succession.

Last term Mick McCarthy's team were denied a place in the Premier League by East Anglian rivals Norwich City, who won the semi-final playoff encounter between the two sides 4-1 on aggregate.

However, despite that disappointment, Holland has insisted that with McCarthy at the helm, the Tractor Boys can mount another challenge this time around.

"I do think promotion is possible this season. I think the real positive is that the team spirit looked so much better last season," he told the East Anglian Daily Times.

"There appeared to be a real togetherness about the squad and everyone was pulling in the right direction. In terms of Mick, he is a brilliant man manager and won't accept anybody not pulling their weight with him in charge.

"He is a very honest man and the players have responded to that superbly. His biggest strength is his ability to engineer a great atmosphere around the place. Tactically he is very good as well. He identifies his player's strengths and plays to them."

Holland was a member of the Ipswich squad that earned promotion to the top flight back in 2000.