Tractor Boys boss has full focus on promotion

IPSWICH Town's preparation for Sunday's huge promotion clash with Middlesbrough have been rocked as manager Kieran McKenna emerged as one of the favourites to take over from Andoni Iraola at Premier League club Bournemouth.

- By STUART JAMIESON Regional football editor [e-mail] @sjamieson74

Boro face the Tractor Boys at Portman Road on Sunday knowing that a win would take them level on points with their promotion rivals, who would still hold a game in hand.

Ipswich lost 2-0 to Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Tuesday night, opening up the chance for Boro to close the gap, although fellow contenders Southampton continued their remarkable run with a 3-0 victory over Blackburn to leave the Teessiders in fifth place.

However, Town boss McKenna had to contend with headlines linking him with the soon-to-be vacant Bournemouth role, with Iraola confirming he would leave the Vitality Stadium at the end of the season.