Town midfielder Luke Hyam is still only 21 but he is already playing for his third manager at Portman Road.
It was Roy Keane who handed him his debut, in the 3-1 win at Middlesbrough on the opening day of the 2010/11 season.
Hyam was not a regular during Paul Jewell’s time in charge but has featured eight times this season since Mick McCarthy inherited the reins in November.
That total would have been greater still had he not suffered a calf injury in the 3-1 home win over Nottingham Forest that ruled him out of the next four games before he was fit enough to resume in the 2-1 success at Charlton on Boxing Day.
Hyam said: "It was very frustrating to be out. All players want to play, although we know injuries are part and parcel of the game. When it happens it just makes you determined to get stronger and get back in the team.
"The manager was brilliant with me when I was out. He spoke to me to see how I was doing and took an interest in my recovery. It actually took me a bit longer than I would have liked, about a week or two, to get back.
"In the end I was just relieved to be back on the pitch, hold on to my place in the side and be able to play regularly again.”
Hyam appears to have benefited from the change of manager and added: "Mick stressed when he came in that we were all starting with a clean slate and it is up to players to impress him.
"You can only do that in training and, if you are in the side, with a decent standard of performance.
"I hope I have a long-term future at the club, but you never know in football. I want to stay here as long as possible and impress the manager as much as I can.”