When it comes to making rapid progress in a relatively short space of time Town skipper Luke Chambers believes man of the moment Tyrone Mings is in a league of his own.
In a matter of weeks Mings has cemented his place in Mick McCarthy’s starting line-up, been the subject of a £3 million bid from Crystal Palace and picked up the Championship Player of the Month award for September.
Plus, if reports in a number of national newspapers are to be believed, the youngster who cost a mere £10,000 from Chippenham less than two years ago has been playing well enough to attract the attention of two more Premier League clubs in Arsenal and Everton, who are said to be poised with multi-million pound bids for his services in the January transfer window.
Asked about the left-back's potential Chambers responded: "For me it is limitless. You look at the size of him, the athleticism of him, his technical ability and the fact that he has still only started less than 20 games in the Championship.
"The improvement in him from day one is phenomenal. When he runs past people he looks like the big kid in the playground, the one that has developed quicker than everyone else. All he has to do now is keep his head down and keep it going.
"There are going to be people watching him, there will be talk and this, that and the other. But he’s a level-headed lad and he’ll take that in his stride. He’s got to continue turning in the consistent performances because to play in the Championship and above you have to be consistent, week in and week out.
"He’ll be alright and I’ll keep him on his toes. If he comes in with a big head, don’t worry, we’ll knock him down to size!”
Meanwhile, Chambers has underlined his pride in being Town captain, a role in which he was confirmed by boss Mick McCarthy following ex-skipper Carlos Edwards’ departure to Millwall, although he had previously led the team when the Trinidadian was absent from the starting line-up.
Chambers added: "I’ve done it quite a few times now — I’ve played over 100 games for the club already. I’ve said it before, it is really something to be captain of a club of the stature of Ipswich.
"I also captained Forest and it is a massive thing for me and my family, something I will look back upon at the end of my career with immense pride. The rest of the boys are doing me proud at the minute.”