IPSWICH Town chairman David Sheepshanks has launched a momentous week in club history by declaring: "We've just shown the sort of battling qualities you need in Europe.

IPSWICH Town chairman David Sheepshanks has launched a momentous week in club history by declaring: "We've just shown the sort of battling qualities you need in Europe."

The Blues supremo was moved to his inspirational words after the way the team staunchly held on to a 1-0 lead for over 20 minutes against Leicester with ten men at Filbert Street after Italian keeper Matteo Sereni had been sent off.

They eventually did concede, in time added on and nine minutes after the home side had been reduced to ten men also following the red carding of Lee Marshall.

But Sheepshanks, whose club on Thursday night take on Torpedo Moscow at Portman Road in a UEFA Cup first round first leg tie, said: "It was a disappointing end to a rather bizarre match, but our fans saw the battling qualities of our side to the full."

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