Ipswich Town FC

"I trust my staff to do what I ask them to do. There will be no problem there," says Paul

Paul Lambert says the players are in good hands even though he will have to watch the next two games from the stands.

The Town boss has been handed a two match touchline ban and fined £3000 following a misconduct charge from the Football Association after he received a red card just before half-time in the derby at Norwich.

Town have also been fined £20,000 after the players were involved in a melee in the same incident that saw Paul sent to the stands and also in the 90th minute. Norwich have been fined £25,000.

The touchline ban will come into place for Blues’ trip to Wigan on Saturday and the home game against Reading on March 2.

Paul didn’t appeal against the charge but sent a letter to the Football Associating outlining the mitigating circumstances surrounding his dismissal.

“There was no point appealing because I wasn’t going to win but I have had my say about what when on and I stand by every word,” he told the Club website.

“I’ll get on with it now. It’s not ideal but I trust my staff to do what I ask them to do. There will be no problem there.

“Will it make a difference, not being on the touchline? I don’t know. I can talk to the players before the game and after. They will know what is expected of them.”