BLACKPOOL manager Ian Holloway says his side are full of confidence after winning their previous game at Derby on Boxing Day.But he is expecting a tough FA Cup tie against a Blues side that won 3-1 when the teams met at Portman Road shortly before Christmas.

Elvin King

BLACKPOOL manager Ian Holloway says his side are full of confidence after winning their previous game at Derby on Boxing Day.

But he is expecting a tough FA Cup tie against a Blues side that won 3-1 when the teams met at Portman Road shortly before Christmas.

“Ipswich deserved to win that one,” said Holloway. “They are a good team with a top manager who I have plenty of respect for.

“But we are full of confidence after winning last time out.”

The Tangerines have not played since the match at Pride Park, which has been their only game since their visit to Suffolk on December 12.

They will again be without ex-Town striker Billy Clarke because of a knee problem, but Holloway sees a big future for the 22-year-old from Cork. “He was doing very well and was really starting to settle when he picked up his injury,” said Holloway.

“Billy scored his first league goal against Preston and that gave him a lot of confidence.

“He's had a breather now and I'm sure he'll be champing at the bit and will hopefully carry on where he left off.

“I gave him a little bit of time off over the festive period and it'll be good to get him back sometime this month.”

Hameur Bouazza will miss tomorrow's match and probably most of January's games as he heads off to the Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria.

Holloway sees it as a chance for someone else to stake their claim and is happy to have a player of Bouazza's standing in the international game.

“As well as the African Cup of Nations, Hameur is going to the World Cup in the summer,” said Holloway.

“To be playing in that tournament is a tremendous achievement for him and his country.

“We are all very proud of that. Everything he is doing at the moment oozes confidence and that is great.”

Marcel Seip will not be returning to Bloomfield Road after the defender agreed a deal with Sheffield United.

David Vaughan is available to Holloway again after serving a suspension.

Weather conditions were slightly milder in the north west yesterday and up to last night there were no plans to hold a pitch inspection.