Preview: Town – Swansea
By Aston
January 26 2007
STB brings you team news, manager previews, betting odds and officials ahead of Towns game against Swansea City tomorrow (KO 3:00pm).
Town will be without Jason De Vos who has a cracked metatarsal, while David Wright and Alex Bruce are suspended and Ian Miller is cup-tied so Fabian Wilnis is likely to partner Richard Naylor in the heart of defence with either Castro or Casement playing at right back.
Town Squad: Barron, Brittain, Casement, Clarke, Garvan, Harding, Haynes, Lee, Legwinski, Naylor, O'Callaghan, Peters, Price, Richards, Roberts, Sito Castro, Supple, Williams, Wilnis.
Town manager Jim Magilton: “It will be a chance for other players to come in and stake their claim for a place in the team, I have every confidence in the lads and know they can do a job for us.
“It's about time we enjoyed a decent run in the FA Cup. It's certainly not happened since I've been at the Club, I didn't get past the Fourth Round as a player here so it would be nice to beat that record at the first attempt as a manager.
“We know Swansea will be seeing the tie as a chance for them to progress as well.
“Bryan Klug and Steve McCall watched them win in midweek and we know that Kenny Jackett's side are a well balanced team who would grace the Championship.
“I believe they are more than capable of taking the step up and holding their own at the higher level and I'm sure they will provide very difficult opposition.”
New Swansea signing Pawel Abbott is available to play but Kevin Austin and Kristian O'Leary suspended, Ian Craney is cup-tied while Kevin Amankwaah, Andy Oakes, Darren Way, Garry Monk, Steve Watt and Owain Tudur Jones are all injured.
Swansea boss Kenny Jackett: “It's a big hurdle to overcome, but there's no reason why we can't go to Ipswich and give a good account of ourselves.
“Ipswich are a good footballing side with good players, but I used to enjoy going to Portman Road as a player and I'm looking forward to going there as a manager.
“We've had a good cup run, in one competition or another, every season I've been here.
“It generates a good profile, financial rewards and enjoyment for the fans, myself and the players.
“I'd like to keep the run going.”
Betting Odds (found using Sportsnetwork Odds Checker):
Town: 9/10
Draw: 12/5
Swansea: 10/3
Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)
Sources: Ipswich Town and Swansea City – the official website
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