Boss Mick McCarthy says Luke Varney’s contract could be extended beyond January if the striker, who rejoined the Blues on a six-month contract in August, puts in more displays like his performance in Saturday's 3-0 victory over QPR at Portman Road.

Varney was handed the first start of his third spell with the Blues and netted his second goal of the season - his fourth for the club - in what his manager called a “fab” display which he felt “epitomised everything I would want about a team of mine”.

McCarthy outlined why he opted to start Varney: “Didzy needs a bit of a physical presence up front with him, any of them do.

“They benefit from that because when the ball goes up to Reg or the centre-halves it doesn’t always come back.

“You know there’ll be some sort of challenge on it and whether it had been Freddie [Sears] or Didz as it was, both of them benefit from that kind of physical presence up front.

The Town boss says the much-travelled Varney will be in with a chance of being offered a further deal.

“Yes,” he said when quizzed on the likelihood of the 34-year-old winning an extension to his deal. “He’s been injured [with a hamstring problem for much of the time since he re-signed].

“I can’t really show much more faith in a player when we’ve just drawn one and lost one here and everybody’s probably watching to see what happens and it could be a bit messy if we lose and I pick a centre forward to play.

“If that’s not a vote of confidence or showing faith in somebody, I don’t really know what is.

“He’s the fittest he’s been. If he was ever going to play it was today because he’s been terrific in training. He’s had a really good couple of weeks.”

Photo: Action Images

battyblue added 06:29 - Nov 28 Shows passion and pride to wear the shirt,,but not the answer McCarthy we need a prolific number nine to be serious contenders for top six next season.
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BrettenhamBlue added 06:51 - Nov 28 Always liked Varney but think we should offer him a contract till next Xmas. Constantly agreeing new contracts costs a lot of money and though Varney isn't "one for the future" he does a good job.
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Dissboyitfc added 07:30 - Nov 28 Love luke but not the future, how could MM let him go and then bring him back in and then think he is worth keeping. PRICELESS!
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Radlett_blue added 08:44 - Nov 28 I'm beginning to think that some of Mick's comments are made deliberately to wind up people.
1

MattinLondon added 09:04 - Nov 28 A midtable championship player who has the odd great game but who is largely average. But he's good at making a nusisance of himself (barging into defenders).
0

bucket99 added 09:31 - Nov 28 One thing was very obvious from the Forest game - we badly need a focal point for the attack. I don't know if Best can play that role effectively, but Varney just might.
4

Woodbridgian added 10:04 - Nov 28 I'm afraid this article just sums up where we are as a club right now. Here's a player who he/we were told wasn't good enough to earn a contract at the end of last season who is now being held up as the answer to our lack of firepower up front. I think Varney is a good pro and works hard for the team,but if that's the best we can do as a serious long term option then it just shows the lack of any ambition for Evans or McCarthy has.

5

OwainG1992 added 10:51 - Nov 28 Varney was behind Murphy Pittman Mcgoldrick and Sears last season. He's 34 now. I personally like his work rate and wish some others put the effort into matches that he does. But I just feel that as back up until the end of the season fair enough but surely not first choice.
2

Garv added 10:56 - Nov 28 While we're in the current period of mediocrity Varney will absolutely do the job and stop us from completely losing the plot, like he did on Saturday. He was very useful to have in the team, and he made that goal for himself with his pace and aggression. Just not a player who will play regularly and see us looking like promotion candidates.
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parkinshair added 11:26 - Nov 28 I was actually pleased to see Varney start Saturday. Evertime his come on his looked lively and created problems. The goal he scored epitomized what he's all about. Running at the defence, putting the goalie under pressure and capitalizing on mistakes. He deserved to start ahead of Sears and keep his place in the side Saturday. As for a new contract, why not? For his age his surprisingly quick and it was good to see someone playing for the badge on the front and not the name on the back. If we need to offload a striker I'd rather it was McGoldrick. He appears to be so disinterested. Wandering around prematch rolling his head about like a constipated dinosaur.

4

blueblood66 added 15:14 - Nov 28 giving the club an excuse not to go out and buy a striker in January
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Fat_Boy_Tim added 16:42 - Nov 28 Top news, he was fantastic on Sat.
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Fatcatevans added 19:16 - Nov 28 Did well Saturday but his record of 77 goals in 350 games shows he's not the answer. And at 35 he's not gonna get better.
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TimmyH added 21:47 - Nov 28 Could see this coming after saturday, puts in a shift as others have mentioned but certainly not the future of this club.
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Miles added 23:44 - Nov 28 Until we replace Murphy he is the most suitable option for that role in my opinion so keep till end of the season and invest in a younger version in January.
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runningout added 10:47 - Nov 29 Needs to do more in my pointless opinion
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goat_man added 16:59 - Nov 30 Luke Varney was always one of those players you were relieved to see in an opposition side on a Saturday because you felt that he wouldn't score...and yet here he is about to sign up for us for a 4th time. Yee-haw!
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