Ipswich Town: Dan Neil makes 'dangerous' Jack Clarke claim - Millwall right back was 'scared' | OneFootball

Dan Neil has heaped praise on his ex-Sunderland teammate Jack Clarke as Ipswich Town vie for an immediate Premier League return

Ipswich Town's bid to clinch promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking could hinge on the performances of former Sunderland teammates Dan Neil and Jack Clarke.

Clarke showed his class on Saturday by scoring an impressive goal in the Tractor Boys' 1-1 draw with fellow promotion chasers Millwall at Portman Road.

Kieran McKenna's men would have leapfrogged Middlesbrough into second place if they managed to beat the Lions, but instead sit two points adrift of Boro, and in third place, heading into the international break.

Ipswich host Birmingham City on Easter Monday when they return to Championship action, and will be searching for just their second win in five attempts.

Dan Neil heaps praise on ex-Sunderland teammate Jack Clarke as Ipswich Town promotion race heats up

McKenna's side have managed just one victory in their last four fixtures, but they also deserve credit for extending their unbeaten run to seven Championship games.

Meanwhile, midfielder Neil has made nine second-tier appearances since joining the Tractor Boys on loan from Sunderland in January, and has enjoyed linking back up with his ex-Black Cats teammate Clarke.

The winger is Ipswich's top scorer this season, having notched 14 goals in 38 Championship outings following his latest strike against promotion rivals Millwall.

Speaking about Clarke, Neil told BBC Radio Suffolk: "That was probably the best Jack Clarke performance I have seen since I got back playing with him.

"He was direct, the right-back was almost a bit scared when he was getting it. "When he's on it, he's by far the best winger in this league, bar none, and you saw that.

"We need to keep feeding him the ball in dangerous areas between now and the end of the season, and he can be the difference-maker for us."

Neil already knows what winning promotion from the Championship to the Premier League takes, having achieved that feat via the play-offs with Sunderland last term.

Meanwhile, Clarke will be determined to fire Ipswich back to the top flight, having suffered relegation to the second tier with the Tractor Boys last term.

The 25-year-old struggled in the Premier League last season, failing to score in 32 appearances, but, as alluded to by Neil, he is an exceptional talent at Championship level.

Ipswich Town must return to winning ways following international break with Premier League place at stake

Ipswich are somewhat lucky that second-place Middlesbrough have been on a poor run of form, having endured three draws in their last four games.

Boro have failed to win their last three games and suffered a 1-0 defeat to Charlton Athletic on 11 March, which has helped ensure that the Tractor Boys remain just two points behind Kim Hellberg's men, with a game in hand.

However, Ipswich must return to winning ways following the international break to retain their chances of leapfrogging Boro into an automatic promotion spot, especially if Hellberg's side turn their form around once more.

Furthermore, Millwall are level on points with the Tractor Boys, and will be equally determined to finish second, and book their spot in next season's Premier League alongside Coventry City.

McKenna's men must beat Birmingham on Easter Monday, and Clarke will give his side every chance of doing that if he produces yet another impressive performance.