Star gives Ipswich a warning ahead of Leeds Clash

Pascal Struijk, defender for Leeds United, has reminded Ipswich Town that the Championship is a marathon, not a sprint, as the Whites attempt to close the gap on the Tractor Boys in the automatic promotion spots.

The Yorkshire giants and Ipswich Town will square off in a massive Championship clash at Elland Road on Saturday.

Ipswich have been flying since being promoted to English football’s second division, and they currently sit second with a ten-point lead over Leeds, who are just below them.

Leeds have an uphill battle if they are to gain automatic promotion this season, and Struijk admits that Ipswich have done a fantastic job to put themselves in such a situation.

However, the Leeds defender emphasized that the season is still extremely long and that his team has a fair chance to claw their way back into contention in the second half of the season.

Struijk said on LUTV: “[It will be] a really exciting game.

“They have done really well to be in the position where they are, same for Leicester.

“But the season is still really long and we still have 20-something games to go so it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

“We can hopefully take all the points we have been taking and a little bit more in the second half of the season.

“Hopefully, we will come out on top.”

Leeds defeated Ipswich Town earlier this season at Portman Road, and they will look to complete the double at Elland Road.