No Town player could have a greater incentive to deliver eye-catching displays over the remainder of the season than winger Paul Anderson.
How he performs in the next few months will determine whether the club chooses to trigger a clause in his contract that will see him extend his stay at Portman Road for a further season.
Anderson, signed from Bristol City in July 2013 in an exchange deal that saw Jay Emmanuel-Thomas head for the West Country, said: "Technically my contract is up at the end of the season but there’s an option for the club to give me another year. It’s up to them and there is a date by which they have to let me know.
"It’s a bit strange because you could say it’s out of my hands. But you could also say it’s in my own hands because how I play will determine the club’s decision.
"But there’s always uncertainty within football. You can sign a two-year contract and you don’t know what will happen after that.
"I’ve got full confidence in my own ability and I’d love to stay here. I absolutely love the club and the area, so if something happens I would sign pretty much straight away.”
Town fans will wonder, should Anderson eventually help the club to restore their Premier League status for the first time in 13 years, how they would not take the straightforward step of securing his signature on a fresh deal for a minimum of 12 months.
Anderson agreed it would appear harsh, in that particular scenario, if his services were not retained. But he was quick to point out: "It’s football so you can never say for sure. It’s a question of whether the manager and the owner think I am good enough to play in the Premier League. It’s their opinion that counts.
"I believe I can play there but I’ve never had the opportunity. Hopefully at some stage I will get the chance and I’d love it to be next season if the club are still interested in me. I feel like I’m part of the team and I see no reason why things won’t continue here.”
The decision does not depend on whether or not Town win promotion. Even if their status remains the same the club will have to make their mind up about offering to extend Anderson’s stay, exactly the same as they did some months back to keep striker David McGoldrick on board.
McGoldrick, of course, was the subject of a £7 million pre-season bid from Leicester and Town’s decision to turn down that, along with a £3 million offer from Crystal Palace for coveted left-back Tyrone Mings, will do nothing to prevent fresh speculation about the pair ahead of the January transfer window.
Thirteen-goal Daryl Murphy will also have his admirers and Anderson added: "These lads have done unbelievably well and every single season, when someone performs, there is going to be speculation about them. Last year everyone was after McGoldrick, while Tyrone has been amazing this year and Murph too.
"They are doing so well and deserve every single bit of credit they get. But the owner is behind us and has shown he can afford to turn down whatever sum of money for whatever players. He obviously wants us to be successful.
"I wouldn’t be surprised if maybe there are a couple of additions in January. It’s not that I know anything but I’m sure the owner and the manager will both be desperate to keep the squad and also add one or two players just to strengthen it a little bit.”