Ipswich Town could move back to within one point of the playoff positions with a win over Bolton Wanderers at Portman Road on Saturday.

The Tractor Boys find themselves four points behind sixth-placed Reading following their 1-1 draw with Leeds United on Tuesday.

That was their 10th draw of the season already, six of which have come in their last 11 outings as they struggle to find consistency.

They have only won one of their last eight games in all competitions but have also lost just two of their last 12 in the league, Queens Park Rangers and Millwall beating them in back-to-back games earlier this month.

Mick McCarthy's side haven't been much more consistent in their home form, although they have established themselves as a tough team to beat at Portman Road, with only the league's top three teams winning there since August.

Town were unsuccessful in their attempts to sign Kevin Doyle on loan this week, but McCarthy will be boosted by the news that he has a full squad to choose from.

Bolton, meanwhile, will certainly still be looking over their shoulders as good form from the teams below them coupled with consecutive defeats has seen them dragged back into the relegation battle.

They now sit just four points clear of the bottom three, while a 7-1 drubbing at the hands of Reading recently did their goal difference no favours.

The Trotters have now lost three games in a row in all competitions, including being eliminated from the FA Cup by Cardiff City last weekend.

Away from home, things don't get any better for Bolton. They have lost five of their last six matches on their travels and conceded 14 goals in their last three.

Over the course of the whole season, however, they have amassed half of their 28 points away from the Reebok Stadium, so it isn't all doom and gloom for the visitors.

Dougie Freedman will be unable to call upon the services of Stuart Holden, Joe Riley, Marc Tierney and Adam Bogdan, but Tim Ream is in line to start despite suffering from a broken nose.

Recent form

Ipswich: DLLLWD

Bolton: DWDLLL

Possible starting lineups

Ipswich: Gerken; Chambers, Berra, Smith, Cresswell; Tabb, Tunnicliffe, Skuse, Anderson; Murphy, McGoldrick

Bolton: Lonergan; Ream, Mills, Knight, Baptiste; Davies, Spearing, Lee, Moritz, Danns; Jutkiewicz

Sports Mole says: 2-0