Manager Gary O’Neil is not expecting an easy evening when his Ipswich Town side plays host to Leicester City in the second round of the League Cup tonight.
The two clubs were direct rivals last season in the Championship, but they now find themselves two levels apart following Ipswich’s promotion to the Premier League and Leicester’s relegation to League One.
However, O’Neil believes that the Foxes will provide a ‘real test’ at Portman Road.
Ipswich Town manager Gary O'Neil. Picture: Phil Ham
Ipswich Town manager Gary O'Neil. Picture: Phil Ham
He said: “I’m desperate to beat Leicester. They’re going to come here and definitely try and leave some marks on us and have a right go at us.
“I know it’s Premier League against League One, but it’s obviously closer than that with the journey that the clubs have been on. They were in the same league last year, so it will be a real test.
“Leicester are in League One, but they’ve got a manager who was in the Premier League recently, really recently. A good coach, good players, so it will be a real test. Leicester will definitely come and test us.”
The match will also mark a return to Suffolk for serial promotion winners Conor Chaplin and Wes Burns, both of whom swapped Ipswich for the King Power Stadium this summer.
O’Neil added: “It’s nice for Wes to be able to come back because the plan was for him to be with us this year.
“But he obviously had an offer which was really good for him, and we’d never want to stand in his way after the incredible service that he gave the club, and he’ll probably get a send-off that he more than deserves.
“Obviously, Conor Chaplin was incredible for the football club as well, so it’ll be nice to see them back.”