Town loanee Chris Wood still believes he could have a future at Leicester and establish himself as a top Premier League player, but knows a lot will depend on how well he performs during his time in Suffolk.

The powerful New Zealand international striker, who has joined for the remainder of the season, made his debut when he replaced leading scorer Daryl Murphy for the last 11 minutes of Sunday’s 2-0 East Anglian derby defeat by Norwich at Carrow Road.

Wood, 23, welcomed the opportunity to join Town’s promotion challenge and play for Mick McCarthy, a manager who has never concealed his admiration for a player who has reached the Premier League with both Leicester and first club West Bromwich Albion, who sold him to the Foxes in a £2 million deal two years ago.

He said: “I wasn’t necessarily looking for a loan move but I was just coming back from an injury that meant a couple of weeks off.

“It wasn’t bad at all, only a couple of weeks. Nothing major and it hasn’t hindered me in any way. Then the move came about, which is when I knew I needed to go out and play.

“The Leicester manager, Nigel Pearson, said to me before I left ‘Enjoy going out on loan. Get some game time, get some football and hopefully get some goals then let’s see where you go from there.’

“I don’t get the impression I’m on my way out and I just need to keep doing the business.

“They have four good strikers at the moment and they’re only playing one up top, so it was looking very hard for me to get game time there. It was nice to have the opportunity to join Ipswich for the rest of the season.”

Despite Leicester’s struggle to survive in the top flight Pearson was happy to allow Wood to move on temporarily and the player is now determined to use his time with Town to boost his reputation and make an impact at the highest level.

Wood added: “It has been very frustrating this season. All footballers want to be playing but it’s just one of those things and you can’t always have it your own way in football. It’s just a case of going somewhere to get more game time.

“Sometimes you need a Premiership striker when you go up and I never really got much of a chance.

“But hopefully, one day, I will get that chance back in the Prem. I’ve come here just to help Ipswich and that’s all I am focusing on these days.

“My future’s all up in the air and I don’t know what’s going to happen. I’m just focusing on the next 12 to 14 games, if it’s like that, and working hard for the team.

“I’m very happy with what I’ve done in the Championship but I’ve got to keep proving myself, doing it everywhere I go. I had a great time at Millwall and now that I’ve moved on again I am looking to do the business here.

“I think I can become a top Premier League player. I have all the confidence in myself and hopefully, when I do get that chance, I’ll take it.”

Photo: Action Images

Rentaghost added 07:32 - Mar 4 He needs to play rest of the season. We have nothing to lose now and just go to it. No point playing cautious.
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mojo added 10:09 - Mar 4 Anyone know when his contract expires at Leicester? Doubtful we would pay a big fee for him, unless we come into a bit of money over the summer through 1 or 2 sales or we get promoted.
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Bergholtblue added 12:20 - Mar 4 I would prefer to see someone trying to win a contract with us rather than turn his old one around, but if he bangs in the goals, who am I to moan.
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essexboy added 12:49 - Mar 4 Just go out tonight and bang in a couple of goals.Play three up front tonight and put the fear of God into Leeds please Mick.
1

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 13:40 - Mar 4 As the future is not looking too bright for Leicester at the moment, why not instead have a future at Ipswich and establish himself as a top Premier League player?
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