Richards Hopes to Keep Place

Richards came on for Drissa Diallo at half time in a 2-2 draw for Town at Upton Park, who now go into the second leg at Portman Road as slight favourites to reach the play-off final in Cardiff.

Speaking to the Ipswich Evening Star, Richards said: “I hope I have done enough to keep my place for Wednesday.

“It has been disappointing not to figure on the bench in recent games, but this time I was given my chance and was up for the challenge.

"Things did not go according to plan early on and West Ham overran us. But even then I was not despondent and confident we would get our act together.

"There is a long way to go but we have a great chance of reaching Cardiff now.”