IPSWICH Wanderers manager John Clarkson is keeping his fingers crossed that his club can recover from their 'Sudbury syndrome' in time for Saturday's FA Vase fourth round game at Lowestoft Town.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Wanderers manager John Clarkson is keeping his fingers crossed that his club can recover from their 'Sudbury syndrome' in time for Saturday's FA Vase fourth round game at Lowestoft Town.

Ambitious Clarkson has signed a number of players who were previously with Ryman League Division One North AFC Sudbury.

And they have all taken time to adjust to life back in the Ridgeons League.

“I call it the Sudbury syndrome,” said Clarkson, whose team lost 4-1 to Lowestoft in a Premier Division defeat last month.

He runs four care homes and a day centre in the Lowestoft area.

“We have suffered a backlash with players taking their time to find their best form after signing for us.

“It has perhaps been a culture shock coming from the plush surroundings at Sudbury to Humber Doucy Lane.

“Lee Owen has now found his feet and doing well but it took a while and there are others who also found it difficult to adjust.”

Sam Banya, Gary Bennett, Simon Hyde and Paul Betson are all former Sudbury players who could prove vital in Saturday's match.

Long-serving Lowestoft manager Micky Chapman still feels his side can retain the Ridgeons League title, and he looked ahead to a busy month with involvement also in the League Cup quarter finals and the group stages of the East Anglian Cup.

Chapman warned other clubs in the championship race: “Write us off at your peril.

“We have a lot of important games coming up - and if we turn our games in hand into league points we will be right up there.

“The Ipswich Wanderers Vase match is a massive, huge game, and we know it will be very tough.”