Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna sees Leicester City trip as a chance to ‘rise to the challenge again’

Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna sees tonight’s trip to table-toppers Leicester City (8pm) as ‘a great marker’ to ‘try and rise to the challenge again’.

The Blues, who find themselves in third place after Southampton’s 3-1 win at Swansea on Saturday, are seven points off the Foxes and know that any positive result at the King Power Stadium will see them return back into the automatic promotion places.

The two sides played out a thrilling 1-1 draw on Boxing Day, which saw Sam Morsy’s late strike earn Town a hard-fought point at Portman Road, and McKenna hopes tonight’s match has a similar intensity.

“We showed that we could compete with them on the night,” he said.

“It took a massive effort from everyone, players and supporters alike, on the night to be able to compete with a team at our level. We showed we could do that on the night and that’s the challenge to go and try and show that again.

“Both teams have had a good look at each other but we’re going to try and be competitive again, 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 the chance to get ourselves a result 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.

“It’s a big challenge, there aren’t many tougher games in the division, but we’re really looking forward to it, to go out and test ourselves with the away support behind us, it’s a great marker for us to go and try rise to the challenge again.”

The Blues boss confirmed that ‘everyone came through’ the 2-1 victory against Sunderland and no fresh injuries have been picked up during their nine-day break.

However there has been a change in the squad since the win against the Black Cats, which saw striker Freddie Ladapo depart on loan to Charlton Athletic until the end of the season.

“It’s a good move for Freddie and he needs to play some more minutes now and start some games. He’s got the opportunity to do that at a good club,” said McKenna.

“Of course, he goes with our best wishes. Freddie's done a terrific job over the last 18 months-plus, and he’s been a big player for us. He goes there with all our wishes to do well until the end of the season.”