By Aston
April 5 2005

Ipswich Town can move into second place in the championship with a win over bottom club Rotherham tonight.

Town manager Joe Royle is still with out Drissa Diallo but other than that has a full squad to choose from.

Despite Rotherham’s lowly league position Town manager Joe Royle is not expecting a walk in the park, saying: “Looking at the League table, people might be inclined to think tonight's game will be a relatively straightforward affair but I'm not accepting that, I've never had an easy game against a Rotherham team and I don't expect one this time either.

“Let's not forget that it was only a couple of seasons ago that the Millers effectively scuppered our Play-Off chances at Millmoor and they were up challenging for the top six themselves at the time.

“They beat us at Portman Road as well and are never an easy side to play against and from what I understand they have been rather unfortunate on a few occasions this season.

“We won 2-0 up there back in August but I would hardly call it comfortable and they have got players who are playing for their futures at the moment.

“They might need snookers to get away from relegation but with relegation seemingly inevitable, Rotherham will be looking to cut their cloth accordingly for life in League One and that means they will have players playing for contracts for next season.

“That makes them dangerous opponents and we must be right on our game to make sure we don't fall victim to a 'shock' result.”

Rotherham's Michael Keane is likely to retain his place in the starting line-up despite a shoulder injury at he picked up on Saturday. Scott Minto is fit after an Achilles injury and my make a return to the first team.

Rotherham caretaker boss Alan Knill is expecting a tough game, saying: “We know it will be a tough game but so was the one against Stoke City last Saturday and there are no easy ones at this level. The pressure is on Ipswich not us as no one expects us to go there and win or draw but they have to win because they have teams chasing them as they strive to get into an automatic promotion place.

“They score plenty of goals - they hit six against Nottingham Forest recently - and I watched the highlights of their game against Derby County last Saturday. It was a pretty open game so if we can go there, have no fear and take the game to them we may well surprise them.

“But at the same time we have always to be aware that they can score.”

If the Millers lose tonight and Cardiff and Gillingham get a point each Rotherham will be relegated.

The only other game of interest to Town fans tonight is Sunderland’s trip to Wigan.

Sources: Ipswich Town and Rotherham FC - the official website.

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