Preview: Ipswich Town vs. Derby County

Two sides coming off impressive Championship victories at the weekend meet at Portman Road on Tuesday night as Ipswich Town host Derby County.

Mick McCarthy's Ipswich reignited their chances of finishing in the playoffs by overcoming fellow top-half side Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday in front of a jam-packed Amex Stadium.

Consistency has been the problem for Ipswich of late, with Saturday's encouraging victory preceded by three losses in the previous five games, and a solid end to the season will be needed if they are to squeeze into the top six.

McCarthy added Manchester City youngster Alex Henshall on loan earlier today and the left winger could be on the bench but is unlikely to start.

Elsewhere, the Blues have no new injury concerns but will still be without Cole Skuse, with Anthony Wordsworth expected to continue in midfield after a rare start on Saturday.

Derby, meanwhile, still have faint hopes of earning promotion automatically after they ended a four-game winless run with a resounding 5-0 triumph over East Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest.

West Bromwich Albion loanee George Thorne got his first start for the Rams and could continue as John Eustace serves the last game of his two-match ban.

Jamie Ward and Simon Dawkins are both missing tomorrow night with injuries so Johnny Russell and Patrick Bamford will start either side of Chris Martin in attack.

The reverse fixture between these two was an incredible night at Pride Park last October as Derby came back from 4-1 behind at half time to earn a point.

Recent form

Ipswich: WLWLWL

Derby: WDDLLW

Possible starting lineups

Ipswich: Gerken; Chambers, Berra, Smith, Cresswell; Anderson, Hyam, Wordsworth, Hunt; Williams; Murphy

Derby: Grant; Wisdom, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth; Thorne, Hendrick, Bryson; Bamford, Martin, Russell

Sports Mole says: 1-2