IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton is being his most diplomatic self over suggestions that Colchester United will benefit from having an Essex-based referee in charge of today's Coca-Cola Championship game at Layer Road (kick-off 3pm).

Elvin King

IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton is being his most diplomatic self over suggestions that Colchester United will benefit from having an Essex-based referee in charge of today's Coca-Cola Championship game at Layer Road (kick-off 3pm).

Andy D'Urso from Billericay is the man in charge, and he is an official who is not best loved by Blues fans.

He has been booed at Portman Road ever since his controversial sending off of John McGreal at Chelsea during Town's days in the Premiership seven seasons ago - when Magilton admits he made his feelings known to the official during the game.

Magilton is expecting no problems with D'Urso's refereeing at Layer Road saying: “Andy is an experienced referee, and the authorities have obviously gone for someone like him because it is a derby game.

“He comes from south Essex, but I am sure that will have no effect on what happens on the pitch.

“The first 15 minutes or so of every derby are frenetic and this is where we lost out in our defeat at Colchester last season.

“We did not get a foot in the game, and we must make sure we do this time.

“We are better equipped to do this now at a stadium that has a unique atmosphere.”

Magilton knows that bottom-of-the-table Colchester have got nothing to lose this afternoon, and that it is a big game for both clubs.

“If I was still playing I would not have had much sleep last night,” said the Blues boss. “Few players will need motivating.

“We don't want to relegate anybody - we just want to win a football match.

“Colchester score a lot of goals, and if we keep a clean sheet we have a chance of winning.”

Town skipper Jason De Vos has confirmed that he will not make a decision on the offer of a new contract until after the end of this season.

The 34-year-old central defender is considering a new one-year deal from Magilton, but he is in no hurry to commit himself.

The Canadian is considering various future options, but at the moment is concentrating on getting Town into the Premier League.

De Vos said: “I have spoken to the manager and the club has offered me a new contract.

“All that concerns me at the moment is getting enough points from our last six games to get this club into the play-offs.

“Once the season is over then I will sit down with my family and discuss what happens from there.

“I'm doing some work for a TV station in Canada in the summer and that is one line I might explore in the future.”

Today's likely squads

Colchester United: Gerken, Ifil, Coyne, White, Duguid, Hammond, Jackson, Elito, Lisbie, Platt, Cousins, Balogh, Virgo, Izzett, Vernon, McLeod, Guttridge.

Ipswich Town: Bywater, Simpson, Bruce, De Vos, Sito, Haynes, Sumulikoski, Garvan, Quinn, Lee, Rhodes, Colgan, Wright, Williams, Roberts, Trotter, Miller, Harding, Norris, Kuqi.

Referee: Mr A D'Urso (Billericay).