The Clarets play their first away game of the new season today (Saturday 14th August) and it`s a long journey for locally based Clarets fans who have to travel down to deepest Suffolk to see the lads play against Roy Keane`s Ipswich Town.
The Preamble
Both teams had a good start in their opening games and Burnley will be hoping to keep up their winning ways and also keep a clean sheet in what looks on paper a very tough game. Brian Laws has been active in the transfer market this week bringing back Chelsea midfielder, Jack Cork this time on a season-long loan. This is probably just as well in terms of strengthening our midfield after the terrible news also this week that we have lost Chris McCann who will be out for six months while they try and fix his cruciate ligament
Ipswich Town Team News:
19 year old left-footed striker Andros Townsend on loan from Spurs looks make his debut but defender, Gareth McAuly has also shaken off a back injury in time and makes the starting eleven. Winger, Carlos Edwards though and full back Mark Kennedy are out injured along with young defender, Troy Brown. Luke Hyam was also a doubt. The midfielder was suffering from a shin injury but plays today. The biggest shock is that captain Jon Walters wants away from Portman Road with news that there is general unrest at the club. He looks set to join Stoke City
Player to watch: Tamas Priskin
A thorn in the side of Burnley in the past scoring three goals against us so far, 23 year old striker, Tamas Priskin will need to be carefully watched. The Hungarian international signed for Ipswich Town from Watford in August 2009 for undisclosed fee believed to be about £1.7 million
Burnley Team News:
Chris McCann was cruelly denied any hope of playing for the Clarets in the next six months following news from the specialist that his cruciate ligament had still not healed properly and that he will need surgery to fix it. The return of Jack Cork on loan from Chelsea goes someway to bolstering our midfield but what devastating news for Chris. Cork is in the squad for the Ipswich game
Michael Duff was only given a 50:50 chance of playing in the opener against Forest at Turf Moor last week. He misses out today but at least he is also suffering from cramp and not a calf strain as first thought.
Player to watch: Jack Cork
A chance for Clarets fans to welcome back Jack and see how impressive he can be at Championship level. He is named on the bench today but we could see him come on at some stage.
Team &Tactics
Your editor has been hospitalised for the last three days with a urine infection which is why our match preview is late this week. At the time of writing this there was just 45 minutes to kick-off so for a change we will actually discuss the actual team sheet today.
There is a surprise today with Tyrone Mears not in the starting eleven. He has picked up a slight shin problem so it will be David Edgar who takes his place at right back with Graham Alexander keeping the holding midfield role.
Our eighteen are as follows:
Jensen, Alexander, Carlisle, Bikey, Fox, Edgar, Marney, Elliott, Wallace, Iwelumo, Paterson
Subs: Grant, Cort, Cork, McDonald, Eagles, Rodriguez, Thompson
Last Time We Met
In our promotion year we secured a 1-1 draw at Ipswich and you can read a report of that match by clicking this link:
Clarets Point to What Might Have Been
A stunning Wade Elliott goal after 19 minutes gave us the lead and we held until the 73rd minute before Dos Santos on loan from Spurs equalised with a shot from just outside the area.
Ref Watch:
Grant Hegley (Hertfordshire) will be our match referee.
Match Prediction:
Ipswich will be buoyed up by their 3-1 win against promotion favourites Middlesbrough at the Riverside last Saturday and will be Keane (sorry) to get their first home win on the table and consolidate their good start to the new season. The Clarets will have their work cut out to win this one but a 1-1 draw would be an excellent result.
Next Match:
Our second home game of the season sees Leicester City come to Turf Moor on Saturday 21st August (Kick Off 3pm)
