JOHN McGreal says he is targeting wins after taking over as Ipswich Town's interim manager.

The former Colchester United head coach has taken temporary charge at Portman Road, following the dismissal of Paul Cook on Saturday night.

McGreal takes charge of his first game in interim charge tonight when Ipswich travel to play Johnnie Jackson's Charlton Athletic, at The Valley.

The former U's boss will work alongside former Colchester goalkeepers Rene Gilmartin and Carl Pentney - along with Kieron Dyer - who have been installed as Town's interim first-team coaches.

McGreal says he wants to do well, in his interim spell.

He told iFollow Ipswich."The club needs me to help and I would never turn my back on the club given how good it has been to me over the years.

"It's my club and I want it to do well. I'd like to do well during the interim period, however long that is, and get us through to the third round of the FA Cup before leaving the team in the capable hands of the new manager.

"I've known Pents [Carl Pentney] from when he was at Colchester and I have touched base with him.

"I've worked with Rene before and I have known Kieron a long time.

"The club needs help and we are all going to try and help us get some wins.

"The situation is what it is and we have to move forward. We have a huge game (against Charlton) and we have switched our focus to that straight away.

Gazette:

"I've had one training session with the group and it was enjoyable.

"We were out on the grass for an hour or so and I was able to put some names to faces.

"We got a good amount of work in and this is a good group of players.

"Our players are professionals and they are playing for Ipswich Town so there is a pressure on them and they might feel that.

"They need to release the shackles, though, and give it a right go. It's the least our supporters demand and deserve - you have to work hard for the badge."

Ipswich confirmed McGreal's interim appointment on Monday morning, following Cook's exit.

McGreal returned to Town last week after taking up a role coaching their U23s and development squads, supporting Dyer.

The 49-year-old made 150 appearances for the Blues and helped them win promotion to the Premier League, in 2000.

McGreal spent a total of 11 years as a coach at Colchester, including four years as head coach.