Striker Franny Jeffers has had his loan extended until the end of the season after a scan showed his grade two hamstring strain has healed. Saturday's game against Plymouth is too soon for him to make a return, but the Blackburn Rovers man will be back in training on Monday and could play against Barnsley next week.

Jeffers told the club site that he was gutted to pick up the injury in the home game with Southend: "I was really disappointed when the hamstring went. It's the first time I've had that type of injury, but it's cleared up quicker than everyone thought.

"It's great to be back here and I can't wait to get going again now. I really enjoyed my time here before and hopefully I will be OK to play next week if training goes OK.

"Blackburn have been great about it in letting me come back. Mark Hughes knows I want to be playing football and he's happy for me to do that here.

"Everyone has been great to me at Ipswich since I first arrived, especially the fans, and I couldn't wait to come back.

"I'm here now until the end of the season and want to do my bit to help Ipswich move up the table."

Boss Jim Magilton has made public his wish to sign Jeffers permanently in the summer and the one-time England man is not ruling out an even longer stay at Portman Road: "I will get to the end of the season here and then review the situation in the summer."

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