CLUB captain Jim Magilton knows that the Championship game at Preston tomorrow is a must-win game for Ipswich Town.“It will largely dictate our chances of reaching the play-offs,” said the 36-year-old.

By Elvin King

CLUB captain Jim Magilton knows that the Championship game at Preston tomorrow is a must-win game for Ipswich Town.

“It will largely dictate our chances of reaching the play-offs,” said the 36-year-old.

The midfielder, who has played over 300 games for Town, has positive thoughts about the re-arranged game at Deepdale against seventh-placed Preston.

He said: “The play-off dream is still on.

“Of the trio of games against Millwall, Preston and at Crystal Palace next Saturday, I would pick out Millwall as the toughest. I knew they would battle all the way.

“If we play as we know we can the points can be ours at Preston.”

Magilton has not started a first team game since Leeds at the end of January, but he still feels a big part of the team. The man who is expected to leave Portman Road at the end of the season was used as a substitute on Saturday.

He said: “I still feel part of the team and have no complaints about not

making the starting line-up.

“Like every professional I want to play, but the lads in possession have been doing very well.

“The young midfielders at Ipswich are top class with huge potential.

“I will continue being a good pro and work diligently in training to keep the lads alive in the knowledge that they are under pressure from me.”

Preston have not won for five games and have failed to find the back of the net in their last two matches.

But they have just kept two clean sheets and Town will have to work hard to break them down with loanee striker Ricardo Fuller available after serving a one-match suspension.

Alan Lee took a knock on Saturday but should be fit and able to partner Fuller up front. Apart from bumps and bruises Town came through the Millwall game unscathed.

Looking back on Saturday's 1-1 draw when David Livermore's 85th minute header cancelled out Owen Garvan's sixth minute opener, Magilton said: “We enjoyed a fantastic 15 minutes and I felt it was a case of how many we would score.

“For whatever reason we failed to capitilise and lost our momentum. It was bitterly disappointing.”