Town striker Luke Varney is loving life right now, even if he is facing an uncertain future at Portman Road with his short-term contract due to expire next month.

Varney, 34, is not doing his prospects of a new deal through to the end of the season any harm after recently regaining a place in manager Mick McCarthy’s starting line-up.

He also marked his first start of the season against QPR with a goal in a convincing 3-0 win and held on to his place for last week’s visit to Bristol City that resulted in a 2-0 defeat.

The experienced striker said: “I must admit it’s been great to have that routine again of looking forward to the games and looking after myself through the week. Nothing beats being part of the team but even when I wasn’t featuring I was still working hard.

“Thankfully, the gaffer said I was looking sharp in training and decided to give me a chance. I’m delighted and hopefully it will continue.

“You don’t like to say it but I did feel like I was getting somewhere near to being in the side. Results weren’t great at the time and I was hoping I’d get a shot. I wouldn’t say I was surprised but it’s always great to get the nod.”

Varney isn’t bothered that his second goal of the season — his first was enough to earn a 1-0 win at one of his former clubs, Derby, in September — came about as a result of a clear error of judgement by Rangers’ goalkeeper Alex Smithies.

He laughed: “I don’t mind the freebies — I’ll take them all day long — and I enjoyed the game. I understand my role in the team, to be a bit more physical up front and let the guys with finesse — Didzy and Searsy for example — work off that.

“I’ve enjoyed my minutes and I’d love it to continue but if I’m on the bench I’ll give my all when I get on.

“That’s always what I’ve been asked to do. I must admit that I thought we all played well against QPR and we all enjoyed it. We need to get back to those individual performances and we’ll get more results like that.”

Town have yet to record back-to-back wins this season, which has added to fans’ frustrations, and Varney added: “That’s the most disappointing thing about recent weeks. We had a great result at Sheffield Wednesday then followed it with a home defeat by Nottingham Forest, then we won at home against QPR and lost our next game at Bristol City.

“We’re trying really hard to put our fingers on why it’s like that. We’ve all stuck together but it would just be nice to put a couple of wins together to sort of, not take a bit of pressure off but get into a routine of enjoying wins.

“When I came off the pitch at the end of the win over QPR it was lovely to see the home fans with a smile on their faces again.

“There was a great buzz around the camp as well and after losing at Bristol City it was a bit the other way. But we’ve had a good week in training and hopefully we can not only put in a good home performance against Cardiff but also get the three points.”

McCarthy has hinted that there might be a longer contract on offer next month and Varney makes no effort to conceal what it would mean to stay on board for the remainder of the current campaign.

He said: “When I got injured in the play-off game against Norwich I was looking at signing a two-year deal and instead found myself out for six months.

“Things can happen so quickly and I know it’s a cliché but I’m just taking it day by day at the minute. But if I get the call I’d be delighted to stay.

“Ipswich have been brilliant for me, the way they looked after me when I got injured and got me fit again. They didn’t have to do that. I felt obliged to get fit and couldn’t wait to get the shirt back on again.

“I still feel like I owe the club in some way and hopefully, if I can continue to put in good performances and be good for the lads off the pitch, we can go forward and I’ll stay as long as possible.”

Photo: TWTD

TractorCam added 07:14 - Dec 9 I wonder if we'll let him go again then sign him on deadline day when we fail to find anyone else? In all seriousness I like Varney and would be happy if he stayed but wouldn't be bothered if he left either
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tractorboybig added 07:42 - Dec 9 Well he is a striker who has scored. Way way better than best. Surely no great deal in keeping him till the end of the season. Would do well for us in league one also.
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Bluebell added 08:48 - Dec 9 I doubt he is being paid much and is very passionate in his game. With Pitman back, I doubt he will get much playing time but is good to come off the bench. He is far more defensive than the other strikers. I would be happy for him to stay till the end of the season even if we do sign another striker in January.
4

hampstead_blue added 09:03 - Dec 9 No need to keep him or Best. Free-up the wages and get a proper #9 in.
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MattinLondon added 10:03 - Dec 9 A cheap option who will keep a team competitive in this league but won't provide much more. Someone who will always try and is good for team morale but who will keeps in line with the Championship stereotype of being a real grafter, a nuisance for defenders but who lacks real quality.
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midastouch added 10:41 - Dec 9 No thank you. He doesn't score anywhere near enough goals. Next please...
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TimmyH added 10:42 - Dec 9 100% guarantee he'll be here come May...as for much more in the January transfer window, don't hold your breath.
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midastouch added 10:46 - Dec 9 And even if he is cheap as chips that shouldn't be taken into consideration. Either you're good enough or you're not, and Luke falls into the latter category at this level. If you pay peanuts you get doughnuts! And what shape is a doughnut? And what score lines do we get all too often? The exact same shape as a doughnut! Nil, none, zero, zilch! :-(
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midastouch added 10:48 - Dec 9 I'd play for free but none of us would want that! Even a big Blue heart can bridge the talent gap that much!
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midastouch added 10:49 - Dec 9 Correction, meant even a big Blue heart can't bridge the talent gap that much.
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Razor added 11:00 - Dec 9 No no no-----this retirement home for old and out of date footballers must stop now!! I agree with an earlier post, in new window ditch both him and best and at least one,preferably 2 hungry young strikers in---what the manager should have done last time. There must be some money available, Murphy and what did we get for Charlie Brown going to Chelsea?
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jas0999 added 16:48 - Dec 9 I like Luke Varney a smashing fella and probably great to have around the place. But is he the future? No. Is he a goal machine? No. Was he the answer back in August? No. Was he a backwards step? Yes. Did anyone else want him? No. Overall it's fairly clear we need much better.
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