CHANGES MAY BE ENFORCED

CHANGES MAY BE ENFORCED

Neil Redfearn provides team news ahead of Ipswich trip...

Head coach Neil Redfearn admits he has some injury concerns for Saturday’s trip to Ipswich but hopes to keep a settled side in the main.

Last weekend’s win over league leaders Derby saw Redfearn make just once change from the previous two games – replacing Jason Pearce with Giuseppe Bellusci in defence – as he looks to create some familiarity in his team.

However, the head coach will assess his squad and says he may be forced into changes for the visit to Portman Road.

"We’ve got a couple of lads that are injury problems but whether they’ll be alright or not for Saturday, I don’t know," he said.

"There might be a couple of changes but the ideal scenario is to keep a settled side and get them used to one another and get them used to winning together.

"I think it’s really important in this process of turning around what we’re doing and getting us going in the right direction."

Midfielder Alex Mowatt has started the last 11 consecutive games and has been in fine form, earning himself a nomination for November’s Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month award.

"He’s got himself established, Alex. He’s used to his surroundings now," said Redfearn.

"He realises now that he’s got the ability to be in there as a mainstay and he’s part of a midfield that is a top midfield, a top young midfield.

"Perhaps what he lacks in experience, he’s got in legs and energy and aggression, touch, technique and skill."

Redfearn also hailed the influence of strike duo Mirco Antenucci and Souleymane Doukara, with the pair now on seven goals each in all competitions for the season.

"They’re growing in confidence and the more they play together, the more they get used to the system and the more they get used to winning as a team, the more they will find ways of scoring," he said.

"I think that was really apparent on Saturday. Both goals came from situations – one where we pressured, one where we got to the byline – but both balls pulled back."

On Antenucci, who bagged both goals against Derby, Redfearn added: "His touch and his awareness and his ball manipulation in the box where he worked to get the ball off was first class."

X