TUESDAY, Saturday, Tuesday, the games come thick and fast in the Championship and Veliche Shumulikoski loves it.

Derek Davis

TUESDAY, Saturday, Tuesday, the games come thick and fast in the Championship and Veliche Shumulikoski loves it.

Although the Macedonian never had to go through such a punishing schedule of fixtures while playing in Russia or Turkey, you won't hear him complaining.

Town face their fourth of five games in a fortnight tonight following the international break, but Shumi can't get enough.

He said: “I quite like all the games here. Everyone likes playing games. To play in front of 20,000 in a stadium like Portman Road is what players enjoy.

“I want to play when I'm playing I'm happy. I was even happier after three points at Plymouth.”

Even the most dedicated and fittest of players would creak under the constant demands of club and country and the Macedonian was grateful that Magilton left him out for the draw against Swansea.

He said: “It can be difficult travelling so much and then playing and then travelling again. But Jim gave me a break when I came back and I missed a game so I was fresh and rested when I played.”

As much as Shumi enjoys playing he admits he would welcome a winter break, preferably at Christmas, so players would not suffer burn out.

He said: “It would be good for the players to have a winter break, especially over Christmas.

“It is short career being a football player and if you don't get a break then by the time you are 32-33 you have had enough.”

The midfielder admits to being a little surprised at Town's early start, but believes the play-off places are within their sights now.

He said: “I'm a bit surprised because we have been playing good football. But we are getting better all the time.

“This is a very important week for us. This is another must-win game. It will be good to win tonight and on Saturday and if we do we will be a lot higher in the table.”

Shumi is expected to keep his place in Town's midfield tonight. With no injuries, manager Jim Magilton is expected to make just the one change with Pablo Counago coming in for the suspended David Norris, although Jon Stead and Danny Haynes are also in contention.

Ipswich Town squad: R Wright, Supple, Volz, Bruce, D Wright, Naylor, McAuley, Balkestein, Shumulikoski, Campo, Miller, Garvan, Walters, Quinn, Haynes, Counago, Stead, Lisbie.

Charlton Athletic: Weaver, Elliot, Moutaouakil, Cranie, Youga, Primus, Hudson, Basey, Ambrose, Bouazza, Sam, Holland, Wright, MacLeod, Varney, Todorov.