McAuley focused on early games

Ipswich skipper Gareth McAuley admits a good start is vital after Town were handed an opening-day trip to Coventry.

The Tractor Boys made a slow start last time around and McAuley does not want to be in the same boat, with the Sky Blues clash followed up by home games against Leicester and Crystal Palace.

He told the club's website: "It's important to get up and running early and build some momentum and we've got to look to do that from the first day at Coventry.

"We didn't start well last season and lost our first two home games and that puts you on the back foot so we've got to start the season well at Coventry and then push on from there with the home games against Leicester and Crystal Palace.

"It's going to be a very competitive league next season, with some big clubs in there and that makes it even more important that we start well."