Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow says the squad are keen to secure promotion back to the Premier League as soon as possible.
The Magpies are currently eight points ahead of third placed Huddersfield Town, although the Terriers have a game in hand, but with David Wagner’s side playing later at 5 o’clock, the Newcastle number one says they can take advantage by winning against Ipswich Town earlier in the day. He told the Chronicle:
“We just look at the points gap, and we know what we have to do. We want to do it mathematically as quickly as possible. That’s why I was so disappointed with the result [against Leeds] because it would have been another big step in the right direction towards the Premier League. I think first and foremost we need to get promoted [and not think about winning the league]. That was the goal at the start of the season and it’s been a tough year.”
A win this afternoon at Portman Road would move Newcastle onto 88 points, eleven ahead of Huddersfield for the time being, and it will take them within four points of automatic promotion, with the Magpies having vastly superior goal difference.
If Huddersfield do lose the evening kick off against Derby County, Newcastle will effectively be just one point away from securing their return to the Premier League, with 89 points the most the Terriers could get from their last four games.
The focus for Newcastle players must be on what they are doing though. Ipswich will go into the match after a run of 2 wins, 7 draws and 2 losses over the past 11 league fixtures. A tight contest is to be anticipated.
