Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy is looking forward to featuring in the play-offs after finishing sixth in the Championship table despite a final-day defeat to Blackburn Rovers.

Ipswich will face two mouth-watering matches against local rivals Norwich City in the play-offs, the first at Portman Road next Saturday and the second leg at Carrow Road one week later.

Town finished level on points with Wolves, but had a better goal difference than Kenny Jackett’s men, and were one point better off than Derby County, who slumped to a 3-0 home defeat to Reading on the final day.

Jordan Rhodes scored twice for Rovers and Rudy Gestede also netted as Blackburn won the Ewood Park clash 3-2, Daryl Murphy bagging a brace for Ipswich.

Former Sunderland, Republic of Ireland and Wolves boss McCarthy was not too disheartened after the game though, saying: “We had to remind ourselves in the dressing room we’re in the play-offs, and deservedly so, because with 78 points we deserve it over the season.

“It’s inspirational, I think, the thought of going into the play-offs.
I don’t think anybody gave us a chance at the start of the season.

“I think everybody’s seeing what we’re made of. We weren’t great today but kept going and could have got back in it. I’d like to have done it on our own merits but the play-offs is something to relish and look forward to.”

Meanwhile, David Dunn made his 387th and final appearance for Blackburn who finished ninth in the Championship table as well as reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Cup earlier this season.