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Ipswich Town will be without one of their key men for the visit of Newcastle United this afternoon (kick-off 3pm).
Top goal-scorer Liam Delap is suspended after receiving his fifth yellow card of the campaign in the immediate aftermath of the Tractor Boys’ late 2-1 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend.
Jack Taylor’s 94th winner sparked a heated reaction at full-time. Wolves' Rayan Ait-Nouri was sent off and had to be restrained by several staff and teammates while Matheus Cunha knocked the glasses off an Ipswich security man's face.
Liam Delap of Ipswich Town warms up prior to the Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and AFC Bournemouth at Portman Road on December 08, 2024 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)Liam Delap of Ipswich Town warms up prior to the Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and AFC Bournemouth at Portman Road on December 08, 2024 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Liam Delap of Ipswich Town warms up prior to the Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and AFC Bournemouth at Portman Road on December 08, 2024 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
"I spoke to the referee after the press conference and he said that there's a rule that if there's a fracas on the pitch then somebody from both teams has to be booked,” Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna said. “Somebody else will have to check that up to see if it's true or not, but I'll take him at face value on that.
"I've watched back the incident, I was in and around it at the time, and I don't see anything particular untoward from our players. But Liam got booked within that.
"We're disappointed to lose him for tomorrow, no doubt about it. I think he's been in really good form, I have to say. I know he hasn't scored in the last few games, but I think he's playing really well for the team.”
While George Hirst still sidelined with a knee injury and Ali Al-Hamadi lacking game time, McKenna is set to start without a recognised striker.
But Newcastle boss Eddie Howe still expects Ipswich to bring an attacking threat as they go in search of their first home win of the campaign.
“Definitely you'd say they've been very unfortunate in certain games not to have picked up more points,” Howe said. “But it's swings and roundabouts, they picked up a great win last week against Wolves in the last seconds of the game so these things do tend to even themselves out.
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“One thing I would say is they've got an unbelievable spirit and you can see that within the group, a never-say-die attitude and they're great qualities to possess. We know going into the game we've got to catch all the intensity and desire that they will bring to the game.
“Their biggest strengths, without a doubt they've got some very good attacking players. They miss Delap through suspension and he's done very well for them this season, but with [Omari] Hutchinson and [Sammie] Szmodics, they've got some really good attackers that we've played against before and are aware of.
“Leif Davies is a real attacking threat from left-back with his assist record last year, which was incredible. We're well aware of their threats.”
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