'We're not afraid of Ipswich' - Jakirovic

Hull City head coach Sergej Jakirovic insists the Tigers are "not afraid" of promotion rivals Ipswich Town heading into Tuesday's key Championship trip to Portman Road.

The Tigers are fifth in the table, seven points inside the play-off places, and among a cluster of clubs - including fourth-placed Ipswich - hoping to chase down Middlesbrough in the second automatic promotion spot.

"I'm not afraid of Ipswich," Jakirovic told BBC Radio Humberside. "It will be a very good game because already we have shown this season we can play good football against them. I just hope it's a good game."

Hull City only stayed up in the second tier on the final day of the 2024-25 season courtesy of goal difference.

Under Jakirovic, who was appointed last July, they are now a serious contender for a return to the Premier League, with pivotal games against promotion rivals Ipswich, Millwall and Wrexham across the next eight days.

"We must keep going forward," Jakirovic added. "We now have 60 points, and it's not by accident.

"Sometimes you lose the game, sometimes you win, but we are in a good position. We will push more.

"Everything is on us. We must give everything so that at the end of the season we don't regret anything. So, give everything without any stress of any pressure, just enjoying the ride."

The Tigers are boosted by the timely return of influential midfielder Matt Crooks after seven matches out with injury.

The 32-year-old came off the bench on Saturday to score the decisive goal in their 1-0 win at Portsmouth, eight months after his effort at the same ground helped to keep the Tigers in the Championship.

"He's a very important player to us," Jakirovic added. "We missed him a lot because he gives us a lot of energy, a lot of challenges, second balls, and he's very important in set-pieces as well."