Town will be aiming to win back-to-back League One games for the first time since October when they visit the Abbey Stadium to take on Cambridge United on Saturday on what could prove a significant afternoon at the top of the division.
Town boss Mick McCarthy says there was nothing he could say to console centre-half Piotr Malarczyk after last week’s 2-1 FA Cup replay defeat at Portsmouth, the Pole having conceded the penalty which led to the first goal before being sent off for two bookable offences in the second half.
Ten-man Town fell to a 3-0 defeat away against fellow play-off challengers Birmingham City with Will Buckley, Jon Toral and Maikel Kieftenbeld on the scoresheet. Buckley made the most of some hesitant defending to put the home side ahead on 23 before Douglas was shown a straight red card just prior to the break and Toral and Kieftenbeld smashed home stunning second-half volleys to seal the victory.
Will Buckley’s 23rd minute goal has given Birmingham a 1-0 half-time lead over the Blues, who are up against it in the second half with Jonathan Douglas having been red-carded moments before the break.
Town boss Mick McCarthy has, as expected, reverted to the team which drew 1-1 with Preston last week for today’s game at Birmingham City, having changed his entire XI for the FA Cup replay at Portsmouth in midweek.