Coach Steve Foley says he has no score to settle with Norwich City as he prepares for Sunday's East Anglian derby at Portman Road.Foley was axed from his job as first-team coach at Carrow Road at the end of last season - and is now preparing for his first derby from the opposite side of the fence as Ipswich Town's specialist skills coach.

Coach Steve Foley says he has no score to settle with Norwich City as he prepares for Sunday's East Anglian derby at Portman Road.

Foley was axed from his job as first-team coach at Carrow Road at the end of last season - and is now preparing for his first derby from the opposite side of the fence as Ipswich Town's specialist skills coach.

But revenge will not be an issue for the 53-year-old Foley, who spent 10 years with the Canaries before they dispensed with his services in May.

"I was bitterly disappointed when they said I could go, but life goes on," he said - adding that giving Town's supporters a derby victory to celebrate was his big motivation.

"The game is one for the fans, and I want to help our lads win on Sunday for our supporters.

"Managers and coaches come and go, but supporters remain and coming out on top in the East Anglian derby means so much to them."

Last September Foley helped to plot Town's downfall on Suffolk soil when working for the Canaries. Now he is giving his full attention to helping manager Jim Magilton and first team coach Bryan Klug as they try to bring the good times back to Portman Road.

Ipswich have not registered a home win over City since an Alex Mathie hat-trick helped them to a 5-0 victory in February 1998, a game fondly remembered by Town fans as the "demolition derby".

But Foley said Sunday's result would not shape the season for either club.

He said: "Whatever happens at the weekend I am convinced that we are on the right road.

"The bigger picture is encouraging and you only have to see the attitude on the training ground for evidence of this.

"We have been much too inconsistent, but there has been gradual improvement all season.

"The base has been laid for a successful future, but it will take time.

"It took Nigel Worthington, Doug Livermore and myself over three years to turn Norwich into a successful side and one that reached the Premiership.

"Norwich have a big advantage over us because of their healthier financial position, and they are in a fortunate position where they could afford over £3 million to sign Robert Earnshaw.

"The purchase of 'Earnie' cost more than the whole of our squad, and it is paying off for the Canaries.

"He is someone who will have to be watched as well as last season's Portman Road matchwinner, Darren Huckerby.

"But at the end of the day it is what we do that will count, and we have to bounce back from Saturday's 2-0 home defeat by Sheffield Wednesday."

New City boss Peter Grant played for City under Foley, and the latter went on: "There are strong similarities between Peter and Jim.

"Both were competitive midfielders, who wanted to win every game - or five-a-side.

"Peter was always asking questions when he was playing, and gave the impression that he would become a manager one day."