Keane predicts tough battle against relegation

Ipswich manager Roy Keane has warned his players to prepare for “a tough battle” as they attempt to secure their Coca-Cola Championship status.

The Tractor Boys take on Scunthorpe at Glanford Park tonight, with both sides lurking just outside the relegation zone.

Scunthorpe were held 2-2 at home by Watford on Saturday, but Ipswich picked up a morale-boosting 1-0 victory at Sheffield Wednesday.

Keane has endured a difficult time at Ipswich and said: “We’ve not done enough this season.

“You look at the table and it’s going to be a tough battle between now and the end of the season.”

Keane could have defender Liam Rosenior back for the trip, after he missed the Sheffield Wednesday match through illness, while Carlos Edwards will hope to stay on the right of midfield after he scored his first goal in nearly three years to earn the win at Hillsborough.

Scunthorpe will make a late decision on the availability of centre-back Rob Jones who missed the Watford match after breaking his nose in last Tuesday’s victory against Barnsley.

Leicester travel to Doncaster tonight, and will be looking to press their case for promotion in their first season back in the second tier.

Foxes boss Nigel Pearson praised his players for drawing on “a cow field” at Plymouth on Saturday, and the Keepmoat Stadium pitch may also be problematic after Doncaster yesterday appealed for fans to help with shovelling snow from the pitch.

After their experience in Devon, Pearson’s side should be prepared for even the worst conditions.

“What we have to do is build on the positives,” reflected Pearson after the long trip south.

“We showed a lot of commitment and drive.”

Doncaster were disappointed to lose to QPR on Saturday, having strung together wins over Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday since they drew against tomorrow’s opponents on February 9.

They occupy a mid-table position, well clear of the relegation zone but unlikely to have any interest in the race for play-off places.