No one wants to see DJ Campbell extend his stay with Ipswich more than fellow loanee Daryl Murphy, with whom he has forged a prolific strike partnership.
While Campbell has netted 10 times in 16 games since arriving from QPR co-striker Murphy has contributed four during the same period to bring his overall tally for the season to five.
Today’s home clash with Brighton could signal Campbell’s last appearance in a Town shirt, unless QPR decide to sell and he can be tempted by the permanent deal on offer at Portman Road.
Murphy, 29, is on a season-long loan from Celtic and said: "You always want to keep your best players and at the minute he is definitely one of ours. He might not seem to be doing a lot in a game but you always know he’s going to get a chance and score. That’s what he does.
"My partnership with DJ is doing alright. We’ve scored a few goals between us and I think our play is improving with every game. We seem to be getting a better understanding and he’s a very good player to have alongside me.
"He’s easy to play with. He reads the flick-ons, anticipates things and he’s a predator in the box, which is where he really comes alive. As you have seen he’s always on the end of things and overall a very good player. Of course we want him to stay.”
Town go into the New Year’s Day visit from the Seagulls on the back of two excellent away wins at Charlton and Wolves in the space of four days and having taken an impressive 23 points from 12 games with new boss Mick McCarthy in charge.
Murphy added: "The mood in the camp is that everyone’s on a high. Obviously we are a lot more confident and the self-belief is really good.”