Striker Daryl Murphy says he’s hopeful of being back in contention for next Saturday’s trip to Cardiff City. The on-loan Celtic man, who is in his second loan spell at Portman Road, has missed the last two games with a hamstring problem.

The 28-year-old says he should be over the problem in time for the trip to Wales: “Unfortunately I got injured in the warm-up a few weeks ago before the West Ham game at Upton Park.

“The medical facilities at Ipswich are first class and I am determined to get back into contention for the game against Cardiff City next week.”

The one-time Sunderland man says his return to Town came about very quickly: “My move from Celtic back to Ipswich came out of the blue completely. I had no idea the move would come about.

“It all happened in one day. I was heading off to play a game with Celtic when I received a phone call asking me if I fancied a move back to Ipswich on a season-long loan.

“I had no hesitation in accepting because I knew the club and the area from my previous period there.

“My wife loves the area and our two young children are settled into schools, so everything is fine.”

Murphy, speaking while back in his native Ireland during the international break, was sad to see Roy Keane, the man who brought him to Town for his first loan spell in 2009/10, leave the club but says he has been impressed with his replacement: “Roy Keane was good to me and he is a decent man.

“He has a presence about him and I was sorry to see him lose his job at the club. Paul Jewell is a different sort of manager, but he is also a very good boss.”

Murphy likes the look of the squad the current Blues boss has assembled: “Paul Jewell has brought in some experienced players like Michael Chopra, Ibrahima Sonko, Lee Bowyer, David Stockdale, Jimmy Bullard and Nathan Ellington and we are now just a point off the play-off positions. Aaron Cresswell is one hell of a player also.”

The Waterford-born player, who spent time on trial at Town before joining Sunderland in 2005, is envious of his team-mates away with their international squads at present but says that for the moment he’s concentrating on club football: “I would love to help Ipswich get back into the Premiership.

“Of course I would love to play for Ireland again, but all I can do is try and score goals for the club and take things from there.

“Who knows what the future will bring? I am still a contracted Celtic player [until next June], but for now all of my focus this season is on Ipswich Town and promotion.”

Meanwhile, Blues boss Paul Jewell was spotted watching Bradford City beat Torquay United 1-0 at Valley Parade on Saturday afternoon. Jewell’s home in Yorkshire is close to the club he managed between 1998 and 2000.

Elsewhere, former Town loanee Jimmy Juan is on trial with SPL side St Johnstone, his previous club Grenoble having gone bust.

Photo: Action Images/Steven Paston

Photo: Action Images

saffronblue added 09:22 - Oct 10 Fourth choice at present but did ok last time round so provides cover
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Wallingford_Boy added 09:28 - Oct 10 First choice at wide left..
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suffolkpoker added 09:44 - Oct 10 I think he is a great squad player, he would be starting in most teams in this division!
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KenDubZ added 10:50 - Oct 10 Battle thats all you can do and a just remember "Every player has to do their fair share on the bench" (Nathan Ellington)
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irishtim added 11:41 - Oct 10 keep plugging away daryl but imo u need 2 raise ur game 2 d nxt level 2 get a starting place welcome back though
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Yallop added 12:45 - Oct 10 Our worst player at Blackpool. Needs to show more passion.
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The_suffolk_punch added 12:53 - Oct 10 Agree with Yallop and if he makes an appearance on Sat he will have to do a hell of alot better will be there to keep an eye on him. COYB
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scooterblue added 13:14 - Oct 10 looked unfit at blackpool. if he can get back to what he was first time round must get back in the side.
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bobble added 13:22 - Oct 10 wouldn't make the wallabies 6th grade
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Garv added 13:48 - Oct 10 Good option to have, although so is Ellington I think. Again I go back to moaning about only having five subs, its ridiculous! To be honest I reckon if Murphy is going to come in (bench) I think it should be JET to go out really.
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Daleyitfc added 14:25 - Oct 10 Waste of time him being here : send him back.
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irishtim added 16:29 - Oct 10 daley itfc give him a chance we need a strong squad if we want 2 b up there at d end of d season. Could u do any better? i know i couldnt. Lets stop demeaning our players & get behind them because at the end of the day we all want the same thing premiership football & success.
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WeirdFishes added 18:34 - Oct 10 needs to be more of a team player, chops would have had one against blackpool if he crossed it
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Garv added 18:57 - Oct 10 Chops should have had one anyway let's face it with his chance in the first half. Murphy isn't the only one who should be criticized for missing chances that day.
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ericgates added 21:00 - Oct 10 I loved old Jimmy Juan! A classy midfield engine room with chris bart williams if I recall!
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