However, the manager is aware that today’s opponents – struggling Leicester City – will be a tough assignment, despite their league position.

The Foxes occupy a place in the relegation zone, having been hit with a six-point deduction for financial breaches. It means that relegation to League One is a distinct possibility, just a decade on from their remarkable Premier League title win.

“We know we’re facing a really good team,” said McKenna. “We felt it earlier in the season (when losing 3-1 at the King Power Stadium).

“If you look at their starting XI, it’s as strong as anyone in the division, certainly if you look at Premier League experience and international caps. They are maybe the strongest, I’m not sure. And they have a new manager (Gary Rowett) who will have them well-organised and really motivated.”

The Blues boss continued: “We’ll try and approach every game with the right balance of confidence and humility.

“We’re a good team and we’re a strong team at home. I feel that we’re an improving team, but we know that we’re facing a really strong side with top players. They’ve got big motivations in the same way that we’ve got big motivations – they are just different motivations.

“We’re looking forward to getting out there in front of our supporters at Portman Road again. It’s been lovely having this run of games at home and we want to finish this week really well now.”

The Blues have won their last three matches following defeat at Wrexham (Image: Ross Halls)

“We believe that we’re a good team and that we have good players. It’s up to us to go and show that. It will be a good game, I think, and a real battle, like every game in the Championship.”

Ipswich drew twice with Leicester in the 23/24 season, scoring late equalisers on both occasions, with both clubs going in to secure automatic Championship promotion.

Since then, the Blues have drawn one and lost two against the Foxes. The draw came in controversial fashion at Portman Road in the Premier League when a penalty wasn’t given for a clear foul on Conor Chaplin and Kalvin Phillips was subsequently dismissed.

Jamie Vardy netted on his big farewell in the reverse fixture, while Abdul Fatawu scored from inside his own half in a 3-1 defeat at the King Power Stadium earlier this season.

“I don’t think in terms of those things, but we’ve been in the same division for a few seasons now,” said McKenna.

“We had a couple of draws with them when we got promoted that really felt like victories. Where the two clubs were coming from in that season, they were two great games from our point of view, and we have great memories.

Leicester beat the Blues 3-1 in their last meeting at the King Power Stadium (Image: PA)

“There’s probably still a bit of stinging injustice, if I’m honest, from the Premier League game at Portman Road last year. Then they beat us in the last couple of games at their stadium.

“It’s about who delivers the better performance on the day, who comes out on top, who gets the details right, who manages the game right.

“These are the things we’re focusing on, not any previous games.”