Football: Ipswich fear Fjortoft

NATIONWIDE PREVIEW

THE IPSWICH Town manager, George Burley, hopes his defence can contain Jan Aage Fjortoft during today's trip to Barnsley. Ipswich are second in the First Division, and will be anxious to keep in touch with the unbeaten leaders, Sunderland, who face Port Vale at Vale Park. "Jan Aage Fjortoft has a very good scoring record against us, so we will have to put that right," Burley said.

The Birmingham City captain, Chris Marsden, is convinced the Blues will have a major say in the promotion race, with Peter Ndlovu, Dele Adebola and Paul Furlong spearheading their attack. Third-placed City entertain struggling Oxford, and Marsden said: "When the three of them are on song they're as good as any front three in this division."

Crewe midfielder Seth Johnson, meanwhile, believes his team can climb off the bottom of the division as they prepare to face fellow strugglers Queens Park Rangers at Gresty Road. "We're not worried about our position. We were bottom at Christmas last season and still reached safety," he said.

The Tranmere manager, John Aldridge, wants his side to atone for their midweek defeat against Bradford when they tackle Bolton at the Reebok Stadium. "We want to bounce back after our first defeat in eight games," he said.

Wanderers have won just one of their last seven, but their manager, Colin Todd said: "I'm confident we will turn the corner."

Wolverhampton Wanderers' caretaker manager, Colin Lee, is delighted with how well his players have responded to him following Mark McGhee's departure. Wolves are aiming to make it three wins in a row against Norwich at Carrow Road, and Lee said: "I owe the last two victories to the players."

Bury manager Neil Warnock is hoping Adrian Littlejohn can score on his debut against his old club Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. The striker completed his pounds 75,000 transfer from Oldham yesterday, and Warnock said: "What a fairy-tale it would be if he opens his account for us at Bramall Lane."