A permanent switch to Portman Road may not have happened but that has done nothing to diminish Danny Higginbotham’s delight at joining Town on a month-long loan deal.
Stoke defender Higginbotham, 33, made a brief appearance from the bench in last week’s 2-1 home defeat by Charlton and is set to feature from the start at Barnsley today.
He said: "There was some talk of a permanent move in the summer — several different clubs, including Ipswich, were mentioned — but nothing materialised.
"Then I was left out of Stoke’s squad of 25, which made it easier for me to move on loan. I’ve played at Ipswich many times in my career and I regard them as a good club with a great fan-base and set-up.
"I went to Nottingham Forest last season to get my match fitness after being out for six or seven months with a cruciate injury. The idea was to come back for pre-season at Stoke and see where things were at.
"It was in the manager’s hands and he made the decision not to name me in his squad of 25. He made some good signings in the summer and I don’t hold any grudges.
"I’m fine with that. It’s part and parcel of football. There’s always a time to move on and I’m just very grateful that I have the chance to come here and play some football.”
Higginbotham explained he was not put off making the move because of Town’s position, second from bottom of the Championship with just five points from a possible 21 in the current campaign.
He added: "It wasn’t a tough decision at all. When I went to Forest they were five points adrift at the time. It was a similar situation, although much later in the season.
"You walk into the dressing room and you can see there is a great group of players and that the manager has got things going the right way.
"There can be a lack of confidence when you’re near the bottom — it’s human nature — but I believe the squad here is capable of doing much greater things.
"It was late before I got on against Charlton but it was just nice to get on the pitch. Obviously, the result was very disappointing and the aim is to bounce back this weekend at Barnsley.
"The mood is good and the gaffer has kept it going in training this week. I think it’s important with the situation the club are in at the wrong end of the table that we don’t get down about it because from what I’ve seen the players are good and there is every chance of getting out of it. A win could soon change things.”
Looking ahead to today’s trip to Barnsley, he says the Blues will be meeting a team high on confidence following their tremendous 5-0 win at Birmingham last Saturday.
He said: "It’s going to be a tough game. From my time in the Championship last season I know that every game brings something different. There are no easy games and it will be a challenge for us.
"But we need a positive result and we are all geared up to go there and try to get that. Hopefully, we can bring three points back. I’m just getting my feet under the table and have only been here a few days but I only have good things to say about the manager.
"He has been bubbly and picking the lads up, and his training is great. I’m injury free and looking forward to getting started.”