Ipswich look to bounce back from Peterborough defeat in crucial game against promotion rivals Sunderland on Tuesday night

The Tractor Boys host Sunderland on Tuesday night in a huge six-pointer that can see Ipswich move above the visitors with a win. Ipswich go into the game as the underdogs, however, with injuries and poor form haunting the Blues.

Ipswich lost at home to Peterborough on Saturday in a poor performance that saw Paul Lambert’s men drop to ninth in League One. Sunderland had better luck at the weekend as they beat Shrewsbury 1-0 in a tough match which saw The Black Cats rise to seventh in the league.

The poor Ipswich performances recently can be put down partially to their lack of attacking options. The Blues were left without forwards Kayden Jackson and James Norwood at the weekend as both forwards picked up small injuries during the week. Both attackers will be assessed before Tuesday’s game at Portman Road.

One player who did feature for Ipswich against Peterborough was new signing Luke Thomas, the new signing came off the bench in Town’s 1-0 loss and played on the right-hand side of the front three.

There is a real possibility that Thomas could start against Sunderland, with the winger saying this week that

‘It’s a massive game and I can’t wait to play in games like this.’ – itfc.co.uk

Thomas could start the game with Ipswich lacking any attacking presence in recent games.

Danny Graham and Luke O’Nien both returned from injuries for Sunderland last week, with both players featuring on the bench for the Shrewsbury clash. O’Nien came off the bench late on and could be handed a start against Ipswich if he is up to match fitness.

Although Ipswich come into the game as the underdogs, the Tractor Boys will certainly put up a stronger fight against Sunderland then they did against Peterborough. With Lambert’s job potentially hanging in the balance, the matchup against Sunderland could be one of the most telling games in the Blues season.

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