WILLIE Donachie is backing Ipswich to cast aside a rare defeat and return to winning ways this weekend.Town's assistant manager is confident the players can banish the memory of last week's 1-0 loss at Wolves, which halted their eight-game unbeaten run, and focus their minds on tomorrow s home clash with in-form Leicester.

By Mel Henderson

WILLIE Donachie is backing Ipswich to cast aside a rare defeat and return to winning ways this weekend.

Town's assistant manager is confident the players can banish the memory of last week's 1-0 loss at Wolves, which halted their eight-game unbeaten run, and focus their minds on tomorrow s home clash with in-form Leicester.

Donachie said: “They are a great bunch of lads and have a great spirit among them, along with a tremendous work ethic. There is no reason to think they can t get another run going.

“I really can't see their reaction to losing at Wolves being negative. They have no need to be despondent because it was a very good performance at Molineux.

“We had loads of play, a lot of possession and we got in a lot of crosses. The only problem was we didn't have enough shots on target, but that is me nit-picking a bit.”

Donachie also warned that Leicester's current lowly position is at odds with their recent displays under caretaker boss Rob Kelly.

He added: “They have almost changed completely since earlier in the season. They are very workmanlike and honest and in those areas they remind me of Reading.

“They might not be as creative, but they make up for it in other areas. They are very organised and we are expecting a hard battle.”

The former Scotland star is refusing to dismiss Town's play-off chances, although they are eight points adrift of sixth-placed Preston, who also have two games in hand and a much better goal difference.

Donachie said: “All the players believe we have a chance. It is a good position to be in after everybody was writing us off a few months ago.”

Town will definitely be without crocked stars Alan Lee, Jimmy Juan, Nicky Forster, Sam Parkin, Jaime Peters and Gavin Williams, who will have knee surgery next week and will not play again this season.

Scott Barron has recovered from the calf injury he picked up at Molineux and 18-year-old Danny Haynes also has a chance of returning to action.

East Anglian derby hero Haynes could well start alongside on-loan South-ampton striker Ricardo Fuller, who will make a belated debut after his work permit problems were successfully resolved.

Leicester are unbeaten in five league games since Craig Levein's departure and caretaker boss Kelly is tipped to land the job on a full-time basis.

They will be without skipper Paddy McCarthy, who starts a two-game suspension.

SQUADS

Ipswich: Supple, Wilnis, Naylor, De Vos, Barron, Sito, Currie, Magilton, Garvan, Westlake, Richards, Fuller, Haynes, Proudlock, Clarke, Skard, McDonald and Price.

Leicester: Henderson, Stearman, Kisnorbo, Gerr-brand, Johansson, Maybury, Gudjonsson, Hughes, Tiatto, Hume, Fryatt, Williams, O'Grady, Smith, Sylla, Logan.

Referee: Paul Taylor (Cheshunt).