IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton today confirmed that every one of his squad will be playing for their Portman Road futures over the remaining seven Championship games.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton today confirmed that every one of his squad will be playing for their Portman Road futures over the remaining seven Championship games.

“Stature will not come into it,” said Magilton.

“Every one of my players - regardless of when their contracts come to an end - must prove to me they want to be part of what we are building.

“Their futures are hanging in the balance.

“There will be no switching off. There is a great deal to play for, and my players are well aware of this.”

Magilton said that the most pleasing aspect of Saturday's 2-0 victory at Luton Town was the way his players wanted to help each other.

“This is the way forward,” added Magilton. “The players generated their own atmosphere and they were all in it together.

“I don't expect them all to be best friends, but I want them to be buddies - to have a healthy respect for each other.

“This binding is coming together and I believe the penny has dropped.

“I am building an elite core, which is what we need to make the impression we intend to make in 2007/08.”

Finishing above Norwich is another goal Magilton has over the next seven weeks, and he added: “We want the East Anglian bragging rights.

“Derby games have generated wonderful atmospheres this year and I am pleased Colchester have done so well.

“And I would love to see Southend avoid relegation and stay in the Championship.

“It will be tough for us to get relegated now, although a couple more wins would be nice. We have been looking for a sustained run of good results - and now is the time to achieve it.”

The next three games will go a long way to making up the minds of fans over whether to renew their season tickets.

Town need wins and good performances against Plymouth and Barnsley at home, before going to Sheffield Wednesday four days before the deadline for discounted prices.

Fans who delay - after the trip to Norwich for example - to see if Ipswich can avoid their worst league position in nearly 50 years will then have to pay up to eight per cent more than they did last year.

Sylvain Legwinski is expected to be ruled out for the next month after a scan revealed he has severe bone bruising on a foot.

And Gavin Williams should also be OK after making his full comeback at Luton.

“Gavin needs to be monitored,” said Magilton. “He offers something different in the middle of the park and is a player we miss when he is out.”

Richard Naylor is taking time to recover from bone bruising in a big toe, and no date has been made for his return.