OVERVIEW

The Clarets return to Portman Road for the first time since a Wade Elliott goal helped earn a 1-1 draw en route to promotion in March, 2009.

That was part of a productive away run of just one defeat in eight games - form Brian Laws' men would love to replicate on their Championship return after such a tough time travelling in the Premier League.

Much water has flowed under the bridge since, of course, not least at Ipswich who were then in the final throes of Jim Magilton's reign.

The high profile appointment of Roy Keane didn't pay off last season as it took until the end of October for Ipswich to record their first win.

A relegation fight rather than promotion challenge was the order of the day until a revival in the spring secured a 15^th-placed finish.

Town will be expecting better this time round and despite a relatively quiet summer in the transfer market - so far - matched Burnley's opening day win with an impressive 3-1 victory at Middlesbrough.

Jon Stead celebrates his goal at Middlesbrough

KEY MAN

Striker Jon Stead looked to have been on his way out of Portman Road earlier this summer and could yet be part of a deal involving Cardiff's Ross McCormack.

But the former Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers frontman netted at Middlesbrough last Saturday and boss Roy Keane has hinted he will have a role to play against the Clarets.

LAST TIME OUT

Middlesbrough 1, Ipswich 3 (Smith, Priskin, Stead)

Ipswich: Fulop, Peters, McAuley, Smith, Leadbitter, Edwards (Lambe 64), Norris, Hyam, Kennedy (Ainsley 89), Walters, Priskin (Stead 74). Subs: Murphy, Brown, Healy, Hourihane.

Burnley 1 (Iwelumo), Nottingham Forest

Burnley: Jensen, Mears, Bikey, Duff (Carlisle 30), Fox, Paterson (Rodriguez 77), Marney, Alexander, Elliott, Wallace, Iwelumo. Subs: Edgar, Cort, Thompson, Eagles, Grant.

TEAM NEWS

Jack Cork is back in the fold

Burnley: Midfielder Jack Cork is back in the Clarets' squad following his season-long loan from Chelsea.

Defender Michael Duff is rated only 50/50 after sustaining a calf injury in last Saturday's first-day win over Nottingham Forest.

Ipswich: Left-sided forward Andros Townsend, 19, could make a debut after signing on loan from Tottenham.

Defender Gareth McAuley hopes to shake off a back problem but winger Carlos Edwards and full-back Mark Kennedy are both out.

Young defender Troy Brown is also sidelined and midfielder Luke Hyam is doubtful with a shin problem.

Laws: 'Stern test'

THEY SAY

Brian Laws: "I expect Ipswich to be very strong contenders. We've had a stern test at home and now we are going to have a stern test away from home."

Referee: Grant Hegley

Championship Fixtures

Saturday (kick-off 3pm)

Barnsley v Crystal Palace

Derby v Cardiff

Doncaster v Bristol City

Ipswich v Burnley

Leicester v Middlesbrough

Millwall v Hull

Portsmouth v Reading

Scunthorpe v Norwich

Sheffield United v QPR

Swansea v Preston

Watford v Coventry

Sunday

Nottingham Forest v Leeds (1.15pm)