Ipswich Town skipper Luke Chambers has stressed that his side have what it takes to nullify the attacking threat of David Nugent.

The Middlesbrough striker has a strong scoring record against the Tractor Boys, finding the net in 14 of his last 13 games and bagging a goal on each of his previous visits to Portman Road.

Nugent has yet to truly take off since joining Boro in a £4m deal from Leicester City in the summer, though, and Chambers believes that his Town teammates can get the better of the personal battle in this evening's clash.

"Middlesbrough flexed their muscles in the summer and added some big-name players, such as Stewart Downing and David Nugent," he wrote in his matchday programme column.

"I'm well aware of the record Nugent has against Ipswich but if you want to be at the top end of this division, you have to get the better of these type of players - excellent Championship footballers. I know a lot is said of his record but it's not something as players you think about.

"We are well aware that he's a very good striker but I think we can match him with Tommy [Smith] and Bez (Christophe Berra) at the back. And I think our strikers are up there as some of, if not the best in the league."

Nugent has scored four goals in 16 appearances for Middlesbrough this season.