Leeds United head coach Garry Monk spoke exclusively to LUTV ahead of Saturday’s trip to Portman Road to take on Ipswich Town. 

Monk and the Whites head south east, in search of back to back wins in the Sky Bet Championship.

He will come up against Mick McCarthy, who has been in management since 1992, and admitted, the former Republic of Ireland manager is someone he has a lot of admiration for.

“Mick is fantastic, he is a really good football man and a very experienced manager,” said Monk.

“I have come up against him and his teams and having spoken to him outside of football, he is someone I have huge respect for.

“In the Championship every game is so competitive, fine margins decide games and we have to go down to Ipswich and put our game on the pitch and focus on ourselves.

“We know what we are going to face and we know what we have to do well in order to try and win the game.

“Hopefully we can go down there, put on a performance to be proud of and be in with a chance of winning the three points.”

Monk also gave an update on injuries, with no new concerns ahead of Saturday’s away match.

“We are as we were in terms of injuries ahead of the Bristol City game, Liam Bridcutt will come back into the group following suspension.

“Charlie Taylor looks very likely to train at the start of next week which is good for him and great for the group, with an important run of games coming up, between now and the end of the season.

“Charlie is a very naturally fit lad, I don’t think it will take him too much to get back up to speed, but obviously we will assess him.”

United’s head coach also spoke about the players close to reaching ten yellow cards and a two match suspension, with the likes of Luke Ayling and Kyle Bartley both on nine yellow’s each.

“The players close to suspensions know the situation, you don’t want to say anything to change their game, they have to stay fully focused and committed.

“What they have to do is avoid is silly and needless bookings, ones for like dissent and kicking the ball away, but for those on nine yellow cards it hasn’t been a problem with them.”

LUTV subscribers can see the full interview below: