At a time when two left-backs are in the running for the game’s top individual awards, the position, often viewed as unglamorous compared to others, has never enjoyed such high-profile status.

Chelsea’s Ashley Cole, who collected cap number 100 in England’s 2-1 friendly win over Brazil at Wembley on Wednesday, and Leighton Baines of Everton are among the front-runners for both the PFA Player of the Year and Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year accolades.

Town’s own left-back, Aaron Cresswell, was among the midweek armchair audience as Cole and half-time substitute Baines shared left-back duties against the Brazilians.

He said: “These guys have been in the Premiership virtually their entire careers and I’ve watched them a lot. I saw the England game on Wednesday and I try to pick up some tips from seeing them in action.

“But at the moment they’re in a different league to be honest. It’s a million miles away for me, although one day I would love to pull on an England shirt. I don’t know if it will happen — probably not — but the main thing is that I’m happy with Ipswich.

“I’m just like every other player, of course, in that I want to play at the highest possible level and one day I hope I do play in the Premiership.

“If it happens I’d love it, but for the time being I’m only interested in making sure we beat the drop and stay in the Championship for next season.

"Who knows what will happen next season because Mick McCarthy has a good record in getting clubs promoted? He did it with Sunderland and Wolves, so I’m sure he is looking to do it again with Ipswich.”

Photo: Action Images

bigolconnor added 08:05 - Feb 9 Not a million miles away lad. You have an excellent cross good pace and overlap. Not bad in the tackle and let's not forget free kicks. Oh and you are way younger. Left back isn't exactly a position where this country is inundated and you young man are one of a few.
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bluetown added 08:39 - Feb 9 have to agree but still a ways to improve going back towards his own goal
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gypo added 08:53 - Feb 9 I'd rather you be more like Baines than Cole
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jdtractor96 added 09:11 - Feb 9 In my opinion Cressy is the best left-back in the division. If we hold on to him this summer and mount a promotion push, him and Tommy will be huge for us! Exciting times ahead
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Mark added 09:27 - Feb 9 There are times when Cresswell is very good, but some games when he looks one of the weakest players out there (e.g. home to Barnsley recently). Aaron has to work on improving his game, and Ipswich over the next few seasons is the right place to do it. He's only 23 and I think he can be one of the best in the Championship, but he isn't there yet. Still, Cressy was the club's best signing over recent years I think and one of the few (the only one?) who are worth more now than when we bought him.

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bluethroughnthrough added 09:49 - Feb 9 Seems a long time ago now that Baines scored a wonder goal against us at Portman Road, for us to then win 2-1 and go top of the league at Christmas.
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Edmunds5 added 10:14 - Feb 9 I wouldn't write it off Cressy, when Baines scored that screamer for Wigan he was what 21/22?, he moved to Everton for around £2.5m and hasn't looked back since. Baines is 28 now I believe and it could be that he's 30 when he establishes himself as Englands left back because I can see him moving ahead of Cole in the next year or so. However there is always a flip side about moving, imagine if Cressy went to Villa and was in the dogfight they're in now, yes he would be playing in the Premier League but probably for one season and he would be under so much pressure every week that it would be something he may regret. The perfect example may be Joe Bennett, who was enjoying a good season at Middlesbrough but has looked out of his depth in the Premier League and the move doesn't seem to have furthered his career. He may as well of developed at Boro in a settled environment and tried to gain promotion with them or spent a couple more years in the Championship. We've seen it aswell with Cressy at the start of the season where he was lacking abit of confidence and struggled against some opponents, but has improved greatly in a more stable team under MIck. This is partly why Baines and Cole have been so consistent, because there teams have both been at the top end of the Premier League and have quality players around them to link with. Cressy definitely has alot of potential and I'd hope to see him in the Premier League in the coming years hopefully with us.

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coyb99 added 11:22 - Feb 9 Left back is one of the positions I am not concerned about in the team when Cresswell is playing.
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jas0999 added 12:10 - Feb 9 Cresswell was excellent last year, but very poor at the start of the season. Since PJ left though, his form has improved and is getting back to his best.
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truthhurts added 13:33 - Feb 9 Cresswell is definately one of our younger players that we should build a team around. Great signing by PJ that shouldnt go unoticed. Do remember all the 'sell him he's useless' comments though when villa were linked! Glad he has correctly proved those folk wrong
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Garv added 13:48 - Feb 9 Such a fan of Cressy. Seems a very down to earth lad and a good, hardworking young player.
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Ipswichbusiness added 14:22 - Feb 9 I agree with jdtractor96; Cresswell and Smith look like they could form the basis of a high quality defence IF we can keep them; I fear that Premiership clubs will start sniffing around before long.
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Fatcatevans added 15:58 - Feb 10 Yes Aaron they are in a different league.
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Sindre94 added 06:35 - Feb 12 Excellent left back for us. Jas, at the start of the season everyone was poor, so cressy wasnt an exception although im very glad we get to see the best of him now!
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