FRANCIS Jeffers cranked up the pressure before his return to Portman Road today by claiming he could be a record breaking scorer if he played against the Blues every week.

By Derek Davis

FRANCIS Jeffers cranked up the pressure before his return to Portman Road today by claiming he could be a record breaking scorer if he played against the Blues every week.

Jeffers makes his Sheffield Wednesday debut against Ipswich Town today and he knows he can expect a hot reception - on and off the pitch.

Town fans are not happy that he rejected the chance to sign on a permanent basis and will be letting him know their feelings, while some sharp-tongued banter from Jeffers will have the Blues defence on their toes.

Jeffers joked during his loan spell at Town, who shipped 59 league goals last season, that he would score for fun against Ipswich and is looking to be as good as his word today.

Looking to help stop him is Republic of Ireland defender Alex Bruce who has fond memories of being an Owls player himself, and is not taking Jeffers' jibes too seriously.

Bruce said: “It is all part of the banter. Franny is a hilarious Scouser and it is all harmless fun. He will want to do well for his new club and we all want to do well for Ipswich, so it will be interesting and hopefully he will be on the losing side.”

Bruce insists the hype about Jeffers will not disrupt Town's focus on getting off to a winning start.

He said: “Before the game you think about the irony and the circumstances but once you are on the pitch you don't worry about it and just get one with the game.

“Franny came here and did well last season and everyone knows we re disappointed he didn't come but he is a Sheffield Wednesday player now and will be looking to get one over on him.”

Bruce helped Wednesday win promotion to the Championship via the play-off final win over Hartlepool two year's ago playing nine games for the Owls.

He said: “Playing at the Millennium Stadium as a young lad was a great experience and one that has held me in good stead.

“I have fond feeling for Wednesday as they gave me the chance to go and play. Paul Sturrock was in charge and he took us on a good run that took to Cardiff in the play-offs and finished off with a good result.”

Although Sylvain Legwinski is fit the Blues are expected to make just one change from the side that beat Panathinaikos last Sunday with Gary Roberts in for the injured Gavin Williams.

FRANCIS Jeffers cranked up the pressure before his return to Portman Road today by claiming he could be a record breaking scorer if he played against the Blues every week.

Jeffers makes his Sheffield Wednesday debut against Ipswich Town today and he knows he can expect a hot reception - on and off the pitch.

Town fans are not happy that he rejected the chance to sign on a permanent basis and will be letting him know their feelings, while some sharp-tongued banter from Jeffers will have the Blues defence on their toes.

Jeffers joked during his loan spell at Town, who shipped 59 league goals last season, that he would score for fun against Ipswich and is looking to be as good as his word today.

Looking to help stop him is Republic of Ireland defender Alex Bruce who has fond memories of being an Owls player himself, and is not taking Jeffers' jibes too seriously.

Bruce said: “It is all part of the banter. Franny is a hilarious Scouser and it is all harmless fun. He will want to do well for his new club and we all want to do well for Ipswich, so it will be interesting and hopefully he will be on the losing side.”

Bruce insists the hype about Jeffers will not disrupt Town's focus on getting off to a winning start.

He said: “Before the game you think about the irony and the circumstances but once you are on the pitch you don't worry about it and just get one with the game.

“Franny came here and did well last season and everyone knows we re disappointed he didn't come but he is a Sheffield Wednesday player now and will be looking to get one over on him.”

Bruce helped Wednesday win promotion to the Championship via the play-off final win over Hartlepool two year's ago playing nine games for the Owls.

He said: “Playing at the Millennium Stadium as a young lad was a great experience and one that has held me in good stead.

“I have fond feeling for Wednesday as they gave me the chance to go and play. Paul Sturrock was in charge and he took us on a good run that took to Cardiff in the play-offs and finished off with a good result.”

Although Sylvain Legwinski is fit the Blues are expected to make just one change from the side that beat Panathinaikos last Sunday with Gary Roberts in for the injured Gavin Williams.