By Aston
September 14 2004

Ipswich Town will be hoping to extend their lead at the top of the table with a win against third placed Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.

Stoke Preview

Ipswich Town will be hoping to extend their lead at the top of the table with a win against third placed Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.

Ipswich boss Joe Royle only has minor selection problem ahead of tonight’s match and that’s if he should play Pablo Couñago up front instead Shefki Kuqi although its believed that Couñago will continue to warm the bench.

Town Defender Jason De Vos was a target of Stoke’s before Joining Ipswich and he has said: “In one way I feel a bit bad because Tony Pulis seemed such a nice guy and came across as a very genuine person, so it was hard to say no to him.

“But, that said, I have no regrets, really. I'm very happy with Ipswich and I know I made the right decision. Even so, I'm glad Stoke are doing well, although that will not be the case on Tuesday after we play them.”.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis may well hand a debut to Steve Guppy who joined from Leeds united earlier in the week.

Speaking ahead of the game Tony Pulis has said: “At home I fancy our chances against any team in the league because of the support we get here at the Brit. We're an ambitious club on and off the pitch, so we always want more fans to come along as they are our lifeblood.

“They have a real mix of youth and experience and are a great side going forward.

“Players like Darren Bent, Shefki Kuqi, Dean Bowditch and Jason De Vos are great players who can cause any team problems so we'll have to be really well prepared.”.

And on his own team he added: “Steve (Guppy) gives me an extra attacking option and he's a great lad with a really professional attitude and he'll do a good job for us.

“He come here off the back of a good recommendation from John Rudge and he's raring to go and to prove that he is still a quality player.

“To be fair to him he's come here and taken a massive pay cut so credit to him for that.”.

Ipswich Town Squad: Darren Bent, Dean Bowditch, Pablo Couñago, Kelvin Davis, Drissa Diallo, Jason De Vos, Tony Dinning, Kevin Horlock, Shefki Kuqi, Jim Magilton, Tommy Miller, Scott Mitchell, Richard Naylor, Lewis Price, Matt Richards, Ian Westlake, Fabian Wilnis.

Town fans are reminded that there is no cash turnstiles tonight as its nearly a full house and the A14 is closed westbound at Cambridge.

Sources: EADT and Stoke City Offical Website.

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