IPSWICH boss Jim Magilton insists confidence in the camp remains high as they chase their first win of the season at Leicester tomorrow.It has been a disappointing start to the campaign for the rookie manager, but he was in upbeat mood today ahead of the trip to the Midlands.

By Mel Henderson

IPSWICH boss Jim Magilton insists confidence in the camp remains high as they chase their first win of the season at Leicester tomorrow.

It has been a disappointing start to the campaign for the rookie manager, but he was in upbeat mood today ahead of the trip to the Midlands.

He said: “The morale and the spirit are still high. We really don't think we are far away and everyone is looking forward to the game at Leicester.

“They have also started with two defeats and both sets of players will be fired up for this one. I know my lads are definitely keen to turn the corner.

“We have watched the tapes of the two games we lost and I honestly believe we deserved to get something out of both of them.

“Against Wolves we missed a penalty and Dean Bowditch scored what I thought was a perfectly good goal, only to have it disallowed.

“But we are not going to cry over spilt milk. Hopefully, lessons have been learned, but the players know we must have more impetus, belief, shots and crosses, plus a bit more quality, if we are going to get the points.”

Magilton is set to make changes to the midweek starting line-up at Molineux but will not reveal his hand until shortly before kick-off.

Skipper Jason De Vos is still troubled by the knee injury he picked up on the opening day of the season but Magilton expects him to play. There are no other injury doubts.

Leicester, rock bottom of the Championship after two defeats and no goals scored, have concerns over the fitness of midfield pair Gareth Williams (knee) and Andy Johnson (calf).

Meanwhile, Magilton faces an anxious wait over the weekend before he knows for certain whether West Ham midfielder Mark Noble will be joining on loan.

While the Hammers have agreed in principle to the move, and the player himself has stressed his desire to join Ipswich, nothing will be done until Monday at the earliest.

Magilton said: “Everything is basically agreed but West Ham just want to review the situation over the weekend. They have a game tomorrow and they are carrying a few injuries.

“I thought it was a done deal but with the Premiership season just a week away they want to assess the situation. All being well, I am led to believe we will get him up here early next week.

“That would be the ideal scenario - he joins us, trains with us and is in my plans for the home game against Hull.

“He has a slight groin strain but I'm told it won't stop him playing on Saturday week.

“Mark is desperate to come here and play but he is a West Ham player and, quite rightly, they are calling the shots.”

SQUADS

LEICESTER: Henderson, Stearman, McCarthy, Kisnorbo, Kenton, Maybury, Williams, Johnson, Tiatto, Fryatt, Hume, Johansson, McAuley, Hughes, Sylla, Low, Hammond, O'Grady and Logan.

IPSWICH: Supple, Sito, De Vos, Naylor, Harding, Peters, Bruce, Williams, Currie, Bowditch, Forster, Wilnis, Richards, Lee, Parkin, Haynes, Clarke and Price.

Referee: Jon Moss (Horsforth).