Preview: Town – Blackpool

Town will be looking to close the gap on the top 6, with a win against Tony Parkes’ Blackpool side at Portman Road tomorrow.

Town will be missing both David Norris and Alan Quinn through suspension, Ivan Campo and Moritz Volz through injury. Meaning Luciano Civelli is again being touted to start from the bench.

Town manager Jim: "I'm looking for us to bounce back and bounce back in style with three points against Blackpool.

"I said after the 90 minutes at the Liberty Stadium that these two home matches are 'must win' games and while I'd still believe we could make the Play-Offs even if we didn't pick up six points, it's clear that we have to start closing the gap on the clubs above us now.

"Some people will have written us off already but we have 15 games and 45 points still to play for, and things can turn around very quickly in this league. Two wins over the next week and we will be back in the mix again so that has to be the target.

"The players know they have to react to that Swansea defeat against a Blackpool side who I'm sure will look to come and frustrate us.

"We've had plenty of that this season at Portman Road, with teams looking to make it difficult for us to break them down. We have to remain patient, keep possession and play at a tempo that we want. The players have got to stand up and be counted now, be brave on the ball.

"I thought our supporters were fantastic at our last home game, against Plymouth, and then again with 600 or so braving the weather to get to Swansea. They didn't get the performance they deserved from us in Wales and we're desperate to make sure they - and every other Town fan - gets one against Blackpool."

The visitors will be without Charlie Adam, who was sent off last week, Ben Burgess and Keith Southern are out injured. Returning for Blackpool are goalkeeper Paul Rachubka and midfielder Claus Jorgensen after bans.

Blackpool caretaker manager Tony Parkes: "It's been a bit of a tough week really because the training pitch has been frozen a little bit this week so we haven't done too much on the defensive work, which is a shame, we've had a clean sheet then conceded three goals, then got a clean sheet and conceded three goals again, so hopefully we'll get a clean sheet again this week and kick-on from there.

"It's very difficult to get a clean sheet and then have three scored against you, especially in the home games. If it was happening the other way around then it would be a bit easier to take but to concede three goals where you're hopefully going to pick up most of your points from is a bit concerning.

"It's very difficult with 11 men at this level, we've got to be careful, we've got to show a bit more discipline - and that's what the players have been told. Hopefully that will happen on Saturday.

"An early goal anywhere is a crucial goal, I think first goals in our games are quite crucial, we'll try and keep the crowd quiet, that's the idea.

"The crowd will probably give them about 15 or 20 minutes and if they haven't scored by then, there'll be a few moans and groans going around. Hopefully we can do that because it will prove that we are doing OK. It is a game that we feel we could get something from. They're all big tests for us, particularly away from home.

"Ipswich can easily turn it on and pick results up but it's down to us to make sure that we get something form the game,"

Got a prediction for the game? Leave it below.