Ipswich chairman David Sheepshanks has insisted that the promotion challenge for next season has already started at Portman Road.Jim Magilton's side narrowly missed out on the play-offs this year but Sheepshanks has promised that with the funding from new owner Marcus Evans in place the club will challenge from the off come August.

He said: "Our promotion bid for 2008/09 starts now. And if it is not next season then the one after we will be looking to be cast-iron certainties.

"Jim Magilton is away at the moment looking to improve his squad and along with his backroom team has the full backing of owner Marcus Evans and everybody else at Ipswich Town.

"Marcus Evans is very happy with how everything is going and with new players coming in during the summer we are in good spirits and looking ahead to successful times."

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