Thomas Gaardsoe believes Ipswich Town are still in with a shout of defying the odds and qualifying for automatic promotion.

That was today's rallying cry from the towering defender as he prepares for tomorrow's Portman Road showdown with Preston North End.

The Blues are unbeaten in eight games having plundered 20 goals in the process and now sit just four points adrift of a coveted play-off spot.

But, far from settling for a spot in the top six, Gaardsoe believes Ipswich can still turn up the heat on leaders Portsmouth and Leicester.

He told the Evening Gazette: "Anything's possible.

"Obviously, we're several points behind the top two but if we keep our run going and they have a bad spell we can catch up.

"Sheffield United have done that in the last few weeks and now they're third, having just won at Portsmouth.

"The other thing which works to our advantage is the fact we can still take points off the top sides."

Jim Magilton (calf) is Ipswich's only injury doubt to face Craig Brown's Preston.

Boss Joe Royle said: "We won't risk him if he's not right. He's too important a player for us."

Published Friday, January 17, 2003

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