Alex Bruce is hoping Town can turn in a performance that Sir Bobby Robson would have enjoyed when Blues take on Newcastle on Saturday.

The Town skipper met Sir Bobby on a number of occasions and his parents attended the memorial service for the former England national team boss held at Durham Cathedral on Monday.

"It's not often you get the whole of football coming together but that is what happened at Durham Cathedral," said Alex, speaking in an interview in Saturday's matchday programme.

"That just speaks volumes for the man. He was hugely respected and his name will live on. He deserves all the plaudits and tributes he has received.

"Ipswich and Newcastle were Sir Bobby's clubs and I'm sure it will be a fantastic atmosphere at Portman Road on Saturday. It will be tinged with a bit of sadness of course but hopefully we can put on a spectacle that he would have enjoyed.

"It's strange how it has worked out with the two clubs meeting a few days after his service and with a packed house and the BBC cameras at the game, it's going to be a big occasion but as a footballer, you want to play in big games.

"Hopefully we can step up to the plate against a Newcastle team that are flying high, put in a good performance and get the three points. If we take the plus points out of the Forest and Doncaster games, then we will give ourselves a chance of doing that."

Saturday's matchday programme features exclusive interviews with Alex, Alan Shearer and Kieron Dyer, who all pay their tributes to Sir Bobby. Roy Keane gives his thoughts on a "football genius" in his column and there's a revealing interview with Sir Bobby's son, Mark, who talks about his days growing up in Ipswich with his dad as the boss at Portman Road.