Sunderland will look to put their FA Cup defeat at the hands of Newcastle United behind them when they head to Ipswich Town in the Championship this weekend

Michael Beale says that Sunderland can be “as optimistic as anyone” about earning a play-off spot as the Black Cats get ready to move over their derby loss and resume their Championship campaign. Sunderland’s bitter rivals Newcastle United eliminated them from the FA Cup at the Stadium of Light over the weekend, compounding the anguish of losing the Wear-Tyne derby.

However, head coach Beale feels they can’t afford to focus on that setback as

they prepare for their upcoming test, which takes place on Saturday at

Portman Road against promotion-chasing Ipswich Town. Having defeated

Preston North End 2-0 on New Year’s Day to regain their spot in the play-offs,

Sunderland enters the match in sixth place following that derby loss.”We must

proceed,” Beale declared. “We don’t have time to reflect on the derby loss because

we still have 20 games left in the Championship.”

“We’ve got to move forward,” said Beale. “We’ve got 20 games left in the

Championship, so we’ve no time to dwell [on the derby defeat].

“It doesn’t penalise us in the league, does it? We’re currently sat in sixth position

which, I think, for a group as young as ours is a really optimistic place to be.

“The fans’ experience on Saturday was terrible, but I’m hoping that this team can improve and provide them with many more days of happiness in the future. We can be as hopeful as anyone about making the playoffs with 20 games remaining, and that’s all I’m concentrating on right now.”

Ipswich, who are presently second in the table following an incredible first half of the season, means that Saturday’s match

will be another challenging test in front of the TV cameras. The Tractor Boys

advanced from League One the previous season, and Kieran McKenna’s team is

vying for two promotions in a row, albeit their recent run of five league games

without a victory has hampered their momentum.

On the first weekend of the season, Ipswich defeated Sunderland 2-1 at the

Stadium of Light, with goals from former Black Cats loanee Nathan Broadhead and

George Hirst. That day, Dan Neil gave Sunderland a late goal to tie the score

after Trai Hume was sent off for a second yellow card.