IPSWICH Town skipper Jason De Vos today emphasised the importance of winning a game the Blues 'dare not lose'.Town need three points in their final Coca-Cola Championship match against Hull City at Portman Road on Sunday (kick-off 2pm) to stand a chance of climbing into the play-off positions.

Elvin King

IPSWICH Town skipper Jason De Vos today emphasised the importance of winning a game the Blues 'dare not lose'.

Town need three points in their final Coca-Cola Championship match against Hull City at Portman Road on Sunday (kick-off 2pm) to stand a chance of climbing into the play-off positions.

“To win and not find that is enough would be disappointing and hard to take,” said De Vos.

“To fail to win and find that three points would have seen us reach the play-offs would be heartbreaking and impossible to take.

“We have to do our side of the bargain - we dare not lose - and keep our fingers crossed that other results go our way.”

To qualify for the play-offs Town need to beat the Tigers in front of what is expected to be a capacity crowd - with the match also being shown live on Sky Sports TV.

They also need the results of two of the three teams above them - Watford, Crystal Palace and Wolves - to go their way.

It could be 34-year-old De Vos' final game for the Blues if they don't make the top six, although the former Canadian international has not yet committed himself to going back to his home country to major in media work.

Former Town defender, coach and caretaker manager Tony Mowbray confirmed automatic promotion for his West Brom side last night.

Mowbray scored when Ipswich won at Wembley Stadium in their 4-2 play-off final win over Barnsley in 2000, and Town boss Jim Magilton - also a member of that side - will be doing all he can to follow his former team mate into the top flight.

“Our destiny is out of our own hands, but if any league game can be classed a cup final then Sunday's certainly can,” added De Vos.

“To not win - and then look back and think what might have been - would haunt us for ever.

“We have showed a lot of character in our last two away matches to fight back and gain precious points with late goals.

“We were caught out by two sucker punches at Preston with their first goal taking a deflection off me - summing up the luck we have had on our travels this season.”

Ipswich's home form - with just one league defeat - will hold them in good stead against a Hull side that needs a win to stand a chance of automatic promotion.

But Town have not had the best of luck at home in recent weeks with the ball crossing the line late on in the draw against QPR and a stoppage time blast high into the net by Danny Haynes against Cardiff being ruled out for an obscure push that would have been overlooked my most referees.

De Vos has his house up for sale, which has added to reports that he will be leaving Portman Road in the summer, but he insisted: “Now is not the time to be concerned with individuals.

“Whatever division Ipswich is in will not influence my decision and if I play next season it will be for Ipswich Town.

“I want a victory on Sunday, and then see where that takes us. If we have no further games after that I will then sit down and decide my next move.”

The other game being shown live on satellite TV this Sunday is between Stoke City and Leicester City, on a day when much has still to be decided.