IPSWICH and Barnsley meet tomorrow for the first time since Town's unforgettable play-off final triumph at Wembley in May 2000.Boss Jim Magilton played in that game and his team, buoyed by their fabulous 3-1 derby victory over Norwich last time out, will be looking to succeed where they have previously failed this season.

By Mel Henderson

IPSWICH and Barnsley meet tomorrow for the first time since Town's unforgettable play-off final triumph at Wembley in May 2000.

Boss Jim Magilton played in that game and his team, buoyed by their fabulous 3-1 derby victory over Norwich last time out, will be looking to succeed where they have previously failed this season.

Three times this term they have come up against sides playing their first games following the appointment of a new manager - and three times they have crashed to defeat.

It happened on the opening day of the season, when Crystal Palace recovered from the shock of falling behind to give Peter Taylor a 2-1 winning start as Eagles' boss.

New West Bromwich Albion boss Tony Mowbray, the former Town captain and coach, was in the directors' box to see his men hand out a 5-1 drubbing in October.

And Sheffield Wednesday were under the guidance of Brian Laws for the first time when they won 2-0 at Portman Road earlier this month.

Magilton is forced into changes after Wigan exercised their option to recall on-loan goalkeeper Mike Pollitt, who made an impressive debut in the win over Norwich.

Both Shane Supple and Lewis Price trained today and a decision tomorrow will be made on who takes over between the sticks against the second-from-bottom Tykes.

Teenage striker Billy Clarke trained today and will be assessed later. He had been doubtful with ankle ligament damage.

On-loan winger Gary Roberts, who picked up a groin strain against the Canaries, also trained today and is expected to be fit to take his place.

Town will face a new-look Barnsley side, with loan quartet Ronnie Wallwork (West Brom), Grant McCann (Cheltenham), Kyel Reid (West Ham) and Leon Knight (Swansea) all set to make their debuts.

Barnsley's new man in charge is 36-year-old academy manager Simon Davey, a former Carlisle and Preston midfielder, who was put in temporary control following Tuesday's dismissal of Andy Ritchie.

They are desperate to improve on a miserable run that has seen them win just once - at home to Yorkshire rivals Leeds - in their last ten league games.

After tomorrow's clash they are at home again on Tuesday to rock-bottom Southend and they are viewing the double-header as an ideal opportunity to climb out of the relegation zone.

They were quick to move in when Wallwork, whose preferred role is that of holding midfielder, was made available by Hawthorns boss Mowbray earlier this week.

SQUADS

BARNSLEY: Colgan, Hassell, P Reid, Kay, Heckingbottom, Devaney, Togwell, Howard, Wallwork, K Reid, Knight, Nardiello, Richards, Wright, Wroe, Hayes, McParland, Austin and Williams.

IPSWICH: Supple, Bates, Bruce, De Vos, Harding, Roberts, Walton, Legwinski, Richards, Lee, Haynes, Wilnis, Naylor, Garvan, Macken, Peters and Drobny.

Referee: Eddie Ilderton (Newcastle).