IPSWICH midfielder Tommy Miller today insisted: “We're up to the job of making the play-offs.”Town went into today's First Division game against promotion rivals Sunderland at Portman Road in buoyant mood.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH midfielder Tommy Miller today insisted: “We're up to the job of making the play-offs.”

Town went into today's First Division game against promotion rivals Sunderland at Portman Road in buoyant mood.

Joe Royle's men knew their destiny was in their own hands following Saturday's 3-1 victory at Rotherham that moved the Blues up to fifth place.

Miller played a big part as Town hit back from going a goal behind to see off Rotherham.

And he took a break from receiving treatment before today's game to look ahead with confidence.

Miller, suffering from a dead leg, said: “We are all looking forward to the game. Our destiny is now in our own hands. We know if we keep winning we will be in the play-offs.

“This is a big relief and one we plan to make the most of. We watched most of Sunderland's Good Friday game on TV in the coach travelling to Rotherham so we know what to expect.

“They are a good side, but we are up for the game.”

And central defender John McGreal, who made a surprise comeback at Millmoor, agreed. He said: “The lads are over the moon. Other results went our way on Saturday and we are now in a great position to reach the play-offs.

“It is a huge leap from ninth to fifth, and games do not come any bigger for us than the Sunderland home match.”

Easter is traditionally the time when you tell the men from the boys - when significant moves are made.

A six-point return for manager Joe Royle's men would go a long way to cementing a top six finish.

And we appear to be getting a little bit of luck at the right time,” added McGreal, who suffered a slight reaction to his ankle injury and was also receiving treatment before the Sunderland clash.

“It has been a long time coming with a lot going against us this season. It is nice for a change for things to go our way with Rotherham striking the post twice.”

Miller, selected in the Scotland squad again last week, added: “We needed shaking up at half-time on Saturday. We were flat and conceded a bad goal.

“The pitch did not help, and it was the worst I have played on for a long while. Control was difficult, but after the interval we forced them back and the Sunderland match is now a massive one.

“We have played better than we did against Rotherham and lost so perhaps the ball is starting to roll our way.

“I said after the Millwall home defeat that we needed to go on a run, and we did. I said the same after our home defeat by West Brom, and we picked ourselves up with Saturday's victory.

“Now we must keep it going and collect another few wins. We can do it.”

The whole of East Anglia was rooting for Ipswich today as a Sunderland defeat would give Norwich City's automatic promotion hopes a major boost.