A GROWING sense of anticipation was building in Ipswich today as Sunday's crunch match edged ever closer.Fans know an Ipswich Town victory over Cardiff City will secure their place in the end-of-season play-off lottery.

MILLIONS of nerves were beginning to tingle today as Ipswich Town get ready to face the biggest game of recent years.

A growing sense of anticipation and tension was building in Ipswich today as Sunday's crunch match edged ever closer.

The pressure is on for the Blues to overcome the rest and join rivals Norwich City in the Premiership next season.

The Canaries have today passed on their good wishes to Town for the remainder of their season, but have done the same to other clubs in the promotion frame as well.

A spokesman for Norwich City Football Club said: "We've written to Ipswich directly to offer them our support.

"We wish the very best of luck to all of the clubs competing in this season's play-offs."

However, Suffolk chef and former Town fan Delia Smith declined the opportunity to offer the boys-in-blue her support.

Fans know an Ipswich Town victory over Cardiff City will secure their place in the end-of-season play-off lottery.

It would leave the Tractor Boys just three games away from a place in next year's cash-rich Premier League.

But defeat would leave Town reliant on other results to keep their promotion dreams alive.

With the eyes of the nation watching on Sky television, it promises to be a nerve-jangling final ninety minutes at Portman Road.

Manager Joe Royle believes the fans can be their secret weapon in overcoming the threat of Cardiff City.

He said: "I know our supporters are going to have a tense time on Sunday, but our fantastic followers can be our twelfth man and my simple request to them is to come and scream for the boys in blue."

Tense final-day cliffhangers are nothing new to Blues followers, but this does not make them any easier to bear.

Phil Ham, Those Were The Days fanzine editor and Star columnist, said: "On occasions such as these there's always nerves, but we don't want them to be transferred from the crowd on to the pitch.

"Town fans are used to going into the final game of the season needing to win, but I don't think it becomes any less nerve-wracking because of that.

"Getting into the Premier League is important for so many reasons, not least because of Norwich City's promotion."

The Evening Star and Green Un are both joining in the fun as we countdown to Sunday's crucial Cardiff game. In today's Evening Star you will find details of how to get hold of yet another one of our brilliant posters. This time we are giving away a giant glossy Shefki Kuqi poster. Normally you would expect to pay over £2.00 for these posters, but they are yours free when you buy an Evening Star tomorrow at one of the listed supermarkets.

On Sunday at the ground the Evening Star will be on hand to give out thousands of our new 'We Love You Ipswich posters', free of charge. What's more if you buy a Green Un on Sunday at the ground for £1.00, you will get a free Richard Naylor or Tommy Miller poster worth £2.00 free.

See the Evening Star tomorrow for a great new Joe Royle poster free in every Star.

Evening Star Brand Manager Austen Dack said: "We are already producing lots of goodies for town fans to enjoy.

"We have so much more activity planned so please keep picking up your Star to find out why we are the Premier Blues paper."