Ipswich Town boss McCarthy: "Alex Neil is a nice fella - but I'm still desperate to beat him"

Mick McCarthy and Alex Neil go head-to-head again on Saturday. Credit: PA

Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy has heaped praise on his Norwich City counterpart Alex Neil - but says that he's still desperate to beat him.

The two managers go head-to-head for the second time in the space of a week on Saturday at Carrow Road, with a place at Wembley the prize for the winner.

Speaking at his press conference today, McCarthy revealed that he "shared a beer" with Neil after last week's game in Ipswich but insisted that the scot will be his enemy this weekend as Town attempt to see off their bitter rivals.

Click below to hear from Mick McCarthy

Ipswich travel to Norfolk on the back of a 1-1 draw in the first leg thanks to Paul Anderson's equaliser.

The Blues lost the clash between the two sides at Carrow Road earlier in the season, but McCarthy doesn't think that the result will have any impact on Saturday's game.

Norwich City ran out 2-0 winners in the last meeting at Carrow Road. Credit: PA

McCarthy will be without the services of winger Luke Varney who's been ruled out for the next six months after he ruptured his achilles tendon in the first leg.

Striker Noel Hunt and David McGoldrick should be named on the bench again after returning to the squad last week, but Luke Hyam is still sidelined.

Norwich City v Ipswich Town, Sky Bet Championship semi-final play-off second leg, Saturday 16 May, 12:15

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