Jim Magilton has told his Ipswich Town team-mates to expect superb facilities during their mid-season training break in Cyprus.

The Blues were due to fly out from Heathrow today for a five-day stay in the Mediterranean.

Magilton has just returned from Cyprus after playing an international friendly there for Northern Ireland against Poland.

And he said: "Their training facilities and pitches are in superb condition.

"It should be a good break and a nice chance to get away from the pressures of what's been a tough season.

"The lads are a good bunch and it'll be nice to spend some quality time together.

"We're fortunate in that we get to stay in the best hotels and get wrapped in cotton wool, but we intend to work hard and get focused for our next game against Southampton.

"People have said about us playing again quickly to flush the 6-0 defeat by Liverpool out of our system, but I feel we've already done that.

"It weighed us down for two or three days but after that you have to get it in context. It was just one match and didn't change the fact we'd previously won seven games in nine."

A combination of injury and the form of Sixto Peralta has resulted in Magilton being sidelined since the clash with Spurs at Portman Road in January.

He emerged from the bench in the last two games, though, and added: "I've had a pretty frustrating time recently, having lost my place in the side.

"But I know I've still got 12 games left to stake a claim."

Ipswich play a charity match during their tour of Cyprus. The opponents have been confirmed as Russian side Alania Vladikavkaz on Saturday.

Pablo Counago and Darren Bent scored two goals each as Ipswich beat Wimbledon 6-1 in the FA Premier Reserve League. Matthew Robinson and Darren Ambrose were also on target for the Blues.

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Published Wednesday, February 20, 2002