Ipswich Town vs Sunderland. Sky Bet Championship.
Portman RoadAttendance14,907.
Monday 25 September 2017 17:17, UK
Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy will again be without Flynn Downes for the visit of Sunderland. The midfielder is sidelined until the international break with a thigh injury.
McCarthy has confirmed he has no new injury problems, just tired players, after the 3-2 defeat at Leeds on Saturday. Skipper Luke Chambers took a whack to the ribs at Elland Road but is fit to play, while Adam Webster is still unavailable as he builds up his fitness from an ankle injury playing for Town under-23s on Monday.
Black Cats boss Simon Grayson has doubts over Jonny Williams and Callum McManaman who missed Saturday's home defeat to Cardiff. Both players are struggling to regain full fitness and Grayson will make a decision on the duo prior to setting off for Portman Road.
Grayson is hopeful Duncan Watmore will soon be back in contention as he continues his comeback from a serious knee injury. Watmore continued to close in on a return this week when he played 70 minutes for Sunderland's under-23 side.
Ipswich have won six of their last eight league games against Sunderland at Portman Road (D1 L1).
This is the first meeting between the sides in any competition since January 2007 - the Black Cats, then managed by Roy Keane, won 1-0 at the Stadium of Light with a goal from David Connolly.
In seven visits to Portman Road in all competitions, Simon Grayson has never beaten Ipswich as a manager, drawing three and losing four.
The Black Cats are the only side in the Championship this season yet to keep a clean sheet.
None of Ipswich's last 15 league matches have ended as draws (W8 L7).
David McGoldrick has been directly involved in three of Ipswich's last four goals in the Championship (two goals and one assist).
