By Aston
December 27 2004

Ipswich Town will be hoping to return to winning ways when they entertain Stoke City at Portman Road tomorrow afternoon.

Preview: Town Vs Stoke

Ipswich Town will be hoping to return to winning ways when they entertain Stoke City at Portman Road tomorrow afternoon.

The leagues most prolific attack meets the leagues strongest defence at Portman Road in 12:15 kick off tomorrow live on sky sports.

Town go into the game on the back of 3-1 defeat at Millwall yesterday but luckily with only one player out injured, Drissa Diallo missing for Town again.

Stoke sit 9th in the table just three points out side the play-off spots and Joe Royle is not surprised by how they have done this season, saying: “All teams managed by Tony (Pulis) are well organised and it's no big story to me to see Stoke up there challenging.

“Tony has done a good job wherever he has gone, normally on nil budget and he's proving that again at Stoke.

“They are a big side who caused us problems from set-pieces at their place but we shouldn't have lost that game and we will be out to put that right on Tuesday.”

Stoke go into tomorrow’s as one of the leagues form sides having gained 11 points from the last 6 games, Stoke have won 10 games this season 7 of which have been 1-0’s.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis may have to cope with out the services of John Halls and reported Town target David Brammer both are expected to take late fitness tests before Pulis decides on his team. Two players who are certain to miss out are Jerry Taggart and Marcus Hall.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis believes it will be a tough game tomorrow, saying: “This is a tough one for us. It's hard to start with and we may be one or two players missing, which makes it harder.

“We know how Ipswich will play - they have good forwards and they can open you up and score goals.

“But the spirit within our squad is exceptional and I can promise our supporters we will go there and have a go. Ipswich won't find it easy to beat us.”

Fans are reminded that the game kicks off at 12:15 and travelling Stoke City fans will not be admitted without a True Supporters' Membership Card.

Sources: Ipswich Town and Stoke City - the official websites.

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