Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna says his side have used their extra training time well and are ready to embrace the daunting challenge of facing league-leaders Leicester City away tonight (8pm).
After a hectic festive period, the Blues have had nine days without a match since their pulsating come-from-behind 2-1 win over Sunderland at Portman Road.
And McKenna, ever the coach, says they've taken advantage of that break.
"It’s been really good," he told TownTV. "It’s come at a good time and it’s important to have some time together on the training pitch and we’ve tried to use it well.
“We’re looking forward to the game now. It’s nice to have that nine day period after having so many games in quick succession and we can’t wait to get out there on Monday night now.”
Tonight's clash is a swift rematch of what was a cracking Boxing Day game at Portman Road, the high-flying sides sharing the points in a 1-1 draw.
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Asked if he's expecting a similar battle tonight, McKenna said: “Let’s see. I hope so because we showed that we could compete with them on the night.
“It took a massive effort from everyone – players and supporters alike – on the night to be able to compete with a team of their level, but we showed we could do it on the night and that’s the challenge, to go and try and show it again.
“Of course we’ve got to do it away from home now and both teams have had a good look at each other, but we’re going to go and try to be competitive again.
“Try and stay true to ourselves and how we play and go and show that we can compete on their pitch.
“If we do that, hopefully we give ourselves a chance to get a result again.”
He added: “I think it’s going to be a really good atmosphere. It’s a lovely stadium, a great pitch and we’ll have a fantastic away support again.
“It’s one to really enjoy. Of course it’s nice to go into it coming off the back of a victory and it’s a game to go and embrace.
“A big challenge, probably not many tougher games in the division, but we’re really looking forward to it – go out there and test ourselves, with the away support behind us, and it’s a great marker for us to go and try to rise to that challenge again.”
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