Ipswich striker Marcus Stewart may believe he is already too old to have a chance of forcing his way into the England reckoning, but no-one has presumably yet told Sven-Goran Eriksson.

And while the 28-year-old continues scoring at this rate, with his 16th goal of the season setting Ipswich on their way to victory against Peter Taylor's Leicester, maybe he should keep his age a secret for just a while longer.

For although Stewart remains an outsider for a place in the new England coach's first squad, there are few strikers in any better form in the country.

And his latest strike could not have come at a better time for either him or Ipswich.

With Eriksson on his second scouting assignment since taking up the England post, and with Ipswich struggling to overcome a resolute but unimaginative Leicester side, Stewart finally struck with 10 minutes left.

The goal was hardly a classic, but the £2.5million signing from Huddersfield yet again displayed his ability to be in the right place at the right time, which is an asset that some other more illustrious names could do with now.

He was also involved in the build-up for Ipswich's late second, a header by James Scowcroft, a versatile former Under-21 international who will also look to impress Eriksson in the fullness of time.

And so it was "2-0 to the Tractor Boys" against a side managed by Eriksson's England assistant Peter Taylor.

Not a chant that Eriksson will have heard on his last visit to Portman Road, when he came to learn from Bobby Robson back in the 1970s when he was starting out on the managerial road.

Eriksson may not have learned quite so much this time around, although Ipswich - as well as Leicester on their day - are living proof of the value of a canny coach who makes the most of his resources.

Of the England potentials on view, Stewart scored and looked dangerous as Ipswich came to life in the second-half, but keeper Richard Wright - probably his main target - had virtually nothing to do all afternoon.

Eriksson is nevertheless learning about life in the Premiership and he received his second ovation from a crowd within 24 hours after similarly being welcomed to English football at Upton Park yesterday.

His right-hand man, Tord Grip, had identified two main potential targets ahead of the game - keepers Tim Flowers and Wright.

That was reduced to just one as Flowers was out injured and Simon Royce therefore started in goal for the visitors, but he was hardly needed in a first-half which was instantly forgettable.

There was simply no spark of creativity or imagination, and nothing to elevate the game above mediocrity. No-one was doing much wrong, but no-one was doing much right either.

In fact, Taylor had switched formations from his normal 3-5-2 line-up to a 4-4-2 system, which cancelled out Ipswich's midfield and left little room for manoeuvre.

It was 21 minutes before the first refrain of 'Stewart for England' was heard from the stands and even that was only after a tackle to win possession and dangerous cross.

The match only came to life after the break, with Alun Armstrong heading the ball goalwards from Jamie Clapham's corner and Stewart, standing three yards out, attempted to volley it home only to hit the bar.

Another corner - after Stewart's long-range header had been tipped over - caused similar panic but the ball seemed to strike Hermann Hreidarsson's arm as he tried to force it home and Royce saved.

Stewart, sporting gloves straight from the club shop, may have purpose in his running but did himself no favours when he planted a left-footed volley yards over despite having time to steady himself.

It was a momentary lapse, however, and Ipswich were awakening from their slumbers as it started to become one-way traffic.

Matt Holland volleyed wide and then headed over, Scowcroft lifted the ball over the bar after bustling into a good position and Armstrong's header was tipped around the post.

With Hermann Hreidarsson also heading over, Taylor reacted by taking over the ineffective Trevor Benjamin but replacing him with defender Phil Gilchrist as he aimed to stiffen the visitors' resolve.

Still Royce was needed to fling himself sideways to keep out Holland's header but no longer could Leicester hold out.

Gary Rowett, who had otherwise performed admirably, was guilty of dithering as he tried to let the ball run to safety but was stopped in his tracks by Hreidarsson.

When he fed Armstrong, the striker crossed the ball on for Stewart to pop up unmarked and head home from close range with 10 minutes left.

Still Ipswich continued to press, with substitute Jermaine Wright denied by Royce and eventually the pressure told again.

Stewart was this time involved in the build-up, laying off the ball to Fabius Wilnis on the overlap down the right flank and he centred perfectly for Scowcroft to head past the exposed Leicester keeper.

The Ipswich fans celebrated victory and the fact that they have now reached the magic mark of 40 points supposed to guarantee safety.

Much may have changed in Eriksson's life since he was last at Portman Road, but Ipswich are back on the up again.

Teams:

Ipswich Richard Wright, Wilnis, Clapham (Reuser 90), McGreal, Hreidarsson, Bramble, Magilton, Holland, Scowcroft, Stewart, Armstrong (Jermaine Wright 82).

Subs Not Used: Salmon, Venus, Croft.

Booked: Bramble.

Goals: Stewart 80, Scowcroft 90.

Leicester Royce, Rowett, Davidson, Impey, Elliott, Jones (Gunnlaugsson 85), Robbie Savage, Akinbiyi (Cresswell 62), Benjamin (Gilchrist 75), Izzet, Guppy.

Subs Not Used: Price, Delaney.

Booked: Cresswell.

Att: 22,002

Ref: M Riley (Leeds).