On-loan goalkeeper Stephen Henderson has underlined his desire to remain with Ipswich. Henderson, who has made 16 appearances since being signed from West Ham by ex-Town boss Paul Jewell, is adamant he wants to stay put.

The 24-year-old Irishman said: “I’m due to go back on January 12th but I’ve already spoken to the manager here and told him what I want. I’m desperate to stay here and play games.

“It’s out of my hands at the minute and it’s up to West Ham and Ipswich to sort something out. I’ve no idea what Sam Allardyce is thinking and I’ll just leave it to the gaffer here to talk to him.

“They know how I feel about it. I don’t want to go back and sit on the bench. I need to play and I like to think I’ve shown what I can do after 16 games.”

Henderson, who is contracted to the Hammers until the summer of 2015, would be happy to extend his temporary stay at Portman Road until the end of the current campaign, but has also made it clear he is open to the idea of signing a permanent deal during the January transfer window.

He added: “It’s something that I won’t rule out. I’m open to anything and we’ll just take it as it comes. I’ll have to see what people are saying and weigh up my options.

“While we haven’t always been playing well I’ve really enjoyed the past six or seven games. Everything about the place is impressive — the crowd are electric, the training facilities, it’s a lovely city. I don’t have a bad word to say about it to be honest.

“I’m asking to stay here. I don’t want to leave now. I want to be a part of something and if I’m going to leave I’d rather it was when we were a lot further up the table.

“I had a conversation with the manager and I made it clear that I wanted to stay here and play games. That was the message I wanted to get across. Nothing’s been sorted but I just wanted to let him know how I was feeling.

“Every Tom, Dick and Harry has been linked with West Ham but I take no notice of it. I’m an Ipswich player at the minute. If they do bring someone in that just means that I have to get out on loan again.

“I could sit there and pick up my bench fee but it’s not really in my nature. I wasted too much of my time when I was younger by not playing. I enjoy it too much to go back to that again.

“I’m not willing to sit about, no matter where it is or how good a club I’m with. I’m all about playing at this age.

“That’s why I went out on loan and why I’m so keen to stay here. I think it’s clear that my chance at West Ham has gone. Jussi [Jaaskelainen] is number one for the season and that just means, hopefully, there will be an opportunity for something to get sorted.”

Photo: Action Images

andys_legg added 06:47 - Dec 29 Its a lovely 'city' bless. Ipswich Town its not like the clue.is in the name.
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andys_legg added 06:50 - Dec 29 On another note were all too aware of what happens to you as a goalkeeper when you spwnd too much time on the bench dont we Richard Wright. fair play Stephen
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dav86 added 08:01 - Dec 29 Sign him. Deserves a lot of credit for the run we're on.
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FarringdonBlue added 08:13 - Dec 29 Sign him up! No wonder Reo-Coker can't run, fat b@st@rd!!
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bonanza added 08:26 - Dec 29 The crowd are electric.... We are a lovely city. Oh dear.
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BobbyBell added 08:36 - Dec 29 He's a good stopper but if he wants to stay can he PLEASE learn to catch and kick. Those one fisted punches (many missed) are a big worry.
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Dissboyitfc added 08:38 - Dec 29 He could of became a permanent ipswich player b4, dont forget. Anyway its a lovely city, priceless, thats why they have agents. Would welcome his extension for sure.....coyb
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Warkys_Tash added 09:27 - Dec 29 I am not convinced he is the top keeper we all hoped for. However, whilst MM selects him as number 1 then I will support him. I don't agree with the abuse he got from some so called supporters just because he is a loan player & didn't sign for us previously whilst at Portsmouth.
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RetroBlue added 09:31 - Dec 29 My oh my, what a change of tune by the player! Only a few weeks ago he was announcing his loyalties to his mother club WHU - insisting his future lays there, and having slangiing matches with fans in the SBR stand! All sounds very hollow to me!
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Kesgraveblue57 added 09:42 - Dec 29 Stephen Henderson I don't feel he is good enough as a permanent number one, as he has not got a clue when it comes to dealing with crossers he can't catch or punch, fact
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walberswick added 10:00 - Dec 29 He dosen't want to sign for Ipswich, he wants to play games so he can either get back to WHFC or another Prem team.
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Edmunds5 added 10:01 - Dec 29 I'm torn, at first he didn't seem up to the task and it was as if he didn't really want to be here, since Mick came in he has looked more solid. Remember things were all a bit of a mess and many of our players were not playing well, i.e Murphy, Chambers, Cresswell ect.. and they all seemed to have found some kind of form now, just shows the advantages of having a consistent back five week in week out and the beliefe Mick instills. He has improved but yet to be entirely convinced by him so generally on the fence on this one.

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DurhamTownFan added 10:11 - Dec 29 Awesome picture of Reo-Coker!! As for Henderson, also not sure. To me, he is not markedly better than Loach, or 90% of other Championship keepers, but if he is happy then no obvious reason to ditch him. He DOES need to sort his kicking out though (especially if we persist in the long balls to Murphy), although that could just be a confidence thing.
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Len_Brennan added 10:19 - Dec 29 He's a decent enough keeper, but I still don't think he's any better really than Loach, or even ALB for that matter. They all have their pluses but also have weaknesses that'll unnecessarily continue to cost the club points. I'd be happy enough for him to stay until the end of the season, as we need 3 keepers & it would be difficult to sign a new keeper now, but I don't think our final points tally would be much/any different if he was to go back. We need to target & sign a top number one for the start of next season, someone who stands out from what we have at the moment, that was a huge failing last summer, thanks to Brighton of course.

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premierbound added 10:44 - Dec 29 Spot on RetroBlue. So many people on here with short memories. Go back and read SH's comments earlier in the season about just getting some games in before going back to West Ham. Now realised that he's not Premiership standard he's obviously been advised to be more realistic about his ambitions. Personally, I think he's very average. Some good saves, but just as many times has spilled the ball or pushed it back into a dangerous area rather than off to the side. Very slow on his distribution in the main. Probably better than Loach, but not good enough. Line up someone else and send him back if we can.

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itfc94 added 11:14 - Dec 29 To be totally honest, I'd rather see Loach in goal. Yes, Hendo has helped us greatly since Mick has come in, but I don't believe he is truly here for the benefit of our club but yet for himself to get games and in his mind win his place in the West Ham team. Loach is passionate, he's been punished now bring him back!!! He's not a U21 England international for no reason
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yorksblue added 11:41 - Dec 29 Remember Leonard Johanssen when he opened the new 'Churchmans' saying" thank you for inviting me to your beautiful city" Larf out loud, or what!
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itfchorry added 12:24 - Dec 29 Would really like to sign him in January on a permanent deal - Quality Keeper
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muccletonjoe added 12:41 - Dec 29 Dosnt inspire too much confidence , didnt see the point in him coming here to replace loach , he is not a better keeper , then again if mick likes him......
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Lennyboy added 12:47 - Dec 29 Although I think he's the best we have at the club at present, I believe we could do better. We need a keeper that can hold the ball or palm it somewhere safe, and one that can clear high balls or even catch them. It's only in the last 10 to 15 years that keepers are punching high balls away, it use to be what continental players did not keepers in the English Leagues. Lets get a keeper that can catch and hold the ball. COYB!!!!

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buryblue77 added 12:52 - Dec 29 Ipswich should be a city and Stephen is helping our next application for city status, however when that happens we must still be Ipswich town, never Ipswich city. As for NRC, well that's given me a bit of insight into how I would look in an Ipswich shirt lol
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 13:02 - Dec 29 Has done well recently without doubt, and wouldnt mind an extension til the end of the season, but long term... no thanks, not commanding enough.
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ThatMuhrenCross added 13:13 - Dec 29 I've been reluctant to accept Stephen Henderson at Ipswich, especially as a loanee. As has already been pointed out, he had his chance to join us on a permanent deal last season, and would almost certainly have gained regular first team football out of it. Yet he chose West Ham for various reasons, and, when he did join us on loan, he was quick to point out where his loyalties lied. However, it is encouraging to see that he has had a change of heart. If he was to join the club on a permanent deal, I think I would almost certainly be ready to accept him as a true Ipswich Town player.

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walberswick added 16:01 - Dec 29 Thanks @ThatMuhrenCross. All Ipswich fans can sleep soundly tonight now you have almost changed your mind about Hendo.
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WeirdFishes added 16:14 - Dec 30 At first I wasn't sure about him, wasn't convinced by him at all, and felt it very harsh on loach. But I'm happy to say I've completely changed my mind. Fantastic keeper and would be delighted to see him sign for town permenently!
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