Boss Mick McCarthy has paid tribute to keeper Dean Gerken, who he says has been “outstanding” during his first season at Portman Road.
The Blues manager brought Gerken, a free summer signing following his release by Bristol City, into the team in place of Scott Loach at Birmingham late in August and the 28-year-old was his first-choice for the remainder of the season.
Rochford-born Gerken made 42 appearances in total, while Loach’s only further involvement in the league was as sub in the 1-0 home defeat to Burnley and a man of the match display in the 0-0 draw with Blackpool at Portman Road when Gerken was out injured.
The former Watford man, keen to play regular football, has been made available for transfer this summer.
"I’ve hung my hat on him a few times, certainly when I left Loachy out,” McCarthy said. "I love Loachy but I put Gerks in the net and then Loachy came back and he had a good game and against Blackpool at home.
"There’s always that question from the media, ‘Loachy had a good game…’. I don’t know what the agenda is at times, whether they’re trying to second guess me. I’m not having a go
"Or whether it’s that they like that little bit of controversy about who I’m going to put in, ‘What can he do? Is he going to leave him out? He’s a local lad, he loves the club and all that’.
"And having hung my hat on Gerks, he’s been outstanding. I don’t know if he was involved in any of the player of the season awards but he’s had an outstanding season.
"I remember the save at Blackpool just before half-time and if that had gone in we would have been slapped and we ended up winning the game. He did that on a number of occasions and he did it on Saturday. It’s a great season he’s had.”