Town new boy Stephen Hunt has admitted he was probably guilty of an error of judgment in the summer when he knocked back several offers from home and abroad.

Hunt, released by Wolves at the end of last season, was still without a club until earlier this month when he agreed a pay-as-you-play deal that will keep him at Portman Road until January.

The winger looked set to join Blackpool but the proposed deal collapsed and Hunt faced an uncertain future until teaming up again with Town boss Mick McCarthy, the man who signed him for Wolves in June 2010.

Hunt said: “If anything, I missed the boat before the Blackpool deal because I turned down deals from abroad and I probably made a mistake in turning them down. Walking away from Blackpool wasn’t a mistake because I had my pride and my dignity intact, and a clear conscience.

“I probably regret that at the start of the summer I turned down deals that were offered. There were a couple of Championship clubs and one in France but that’s in the past now.

“Things happen for a reason and I haven’t sulked. I’ve just got on with it and I’m here now. I’m delighted to be here and looking forward to getting some games.

“I was told that wherever I went I should go to a club that was winning games. That way I thought I would come across better and my attitude towards the game would be more welcome.”

Hunt’s debut came in the 3-2 win at Blackpool that marked Town’s first away success of the current campaign and he added: “Thankfully we made a winning start and if we can keep it going for the next two or three months it will be a platform to achieve something. The buzz around the place will get greater and hopefully it can take off again.”

The ex-Reading and Hull winger admitted he was relieved to reach an agreement with Ipswich that could be extended, depending on how he performs in the coming weeks.

He added: “I’ve been in the game long enough to know that I had to get back in pretty quickly, otherwise it might not have happened for me. I wanted to play at a level I knew I could play at so I’ve got two months to prove myself. I could have gone to two or three other clubs on the same deal but I knew the manager here so it was a no-brainer.

“I did turn down offers and it was like waiting for the next train to come along. A bit like a game of poker, almost, and trying to get a better hand. I wasn’t being greedy, just trying to get a better club for myself. That’s what it was more than anything else.

“It had nothing to do with money because it was the same, more or less, at each of the clubs. I just wanted to see what was right for me and in the end I’m more than happy to be here at Ipswich. This is a good club with a good structure and if the opportunity had come along a bit earlier I’d have snapped it up.”

Photo: Action Images

1Finshefki added 07:39 - Nov 22 You sure are making us feel special, Stephen.
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Wickets added 08:08 - Nov 22 Did he turn down deals then !!!
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TrabzonBlue added 08:30 - Nov 22 i.e. I should have accepted those earlier offers but Ipswich will have to do...... for now.
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JewellintheTown added 16:02 - Nov 22 Not sure what to make of those statements. Does he really want to be here or not? Whens the next train arriving, Stephen? Make sure you have your poker face on.
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chorltonskylineblue added 17:55 - Nov 22 Interesting contrast with Titus Bramble, who is still without a club unless I'm mistaken. Although I don't suppose he needs the money
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