Gary Croft believes he has given himself a fighting chance of keeping his place for Ipswich Town's daunting trip to Manchester United.

The defender, who started only his second Premiership match against Southampton last weekend, is desperate to start against the champions at Old Trafford.

And he believes his side have a genuine chance of building on their impressive away record - the best in the top flight - at the home of the champions tomorrow.

Croft said: "I feel I've done reasonably well and we've managed to pick up a couple of decent results which strengthens my cause.

"If we can carry on winning - starting at Old Trafford - then I'd like to think my run in the side can continue.

"This is all I've wanted for a long time - the chance to express myself in a winning side and to get some first-team matches under my belt."

Croft, also included in the starting line-up for Tuesday's Worthington Cup triumph at Manchester City, is under no illusions about the size of the task in hand.

He added: "Playing United is tough at the best of times and I'm sure they'll be desperate to bounce back after being beaten by Liverpool last weekend.

"I don't think they'll approach our game any differently but I'm sure they'll see us a side they desperately want to take three points from.

"United will play very positively and come out attacking but if we set our stall out let's hope we can keep a clean sheet and nick something from the game."

Town boss George Burley, who made his playing debut for the Blues at Old Trafford in 1973, is sweating on the fitness of top scorer Marcus Stewart.

The striker was ruled out of the midweek triumph at Maine Road with a thigh injury but should be fit to reclaim his place.

United chief executive Peter Kenyon is confident Andy Cole will pledge his future to the club by signing a new contract in the new year.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.