Town new boy Zeki Fryers intends to end what has so far been a frustrating season on a huge high — by helping Mick McCarthy’s team to win promotion to the Premier League.
The versatile Fryers, 22, started the campaign with a new club in Crystal Palace, who paid London rivals Tottenham Hotspur a reported fee of £5 million for a player capped by England at U16, U17 and U19 levels.
Fryers, who launched his career with boyhood idols Manchester United and also had a short spell with Belgian club Standard Liege before joining up at White Hart Lane in January 2013, only made two first team appearances for the Eagles.
He joined Championship outfit Rotherham on loan in January, playing 10 games, of which only three were wins, including the 2-0 defeat of Town in February at the New York Stadium.
Fryers made his Millers’ debut against Bournemouth on January 17th and seems set for his first appearance in a Town shirt against the same opponents when they visit Portman Road for the live-on-Sky clash on Good Friday.
He said: "Bournemouth were good at Rotherham but to be fair we did well until they scored just before half-time. They got another one after about 60 minutes and showed what a good side they are. But it’s about what we do on Friday.
"The situation here is very different to the one at Rotherham. They are fighting to stay up and here we are fighting to go up.
"But there is still pressure whatever situation you are in and you want to do well no matter who you are playing for. I just want to rack up the experience going forward.”
Fryers is relishing the opportunity on offer at Portman Road and added: "I’ve settled in well. They are a great bunch of lads here, they have welcomed me and there is already banter going, which is good.
"I think coming in during the international break has helped me. It always helps when you have time to train for a few days before a game. Previously, when I’ve been on loan elsewhere, I’ve had to come in and play straight away.
"But it’s been good here because it has given me a few days of training and a chance to really get to know the lads, which always helps.
"I wanted to finish this season on a high by playing games and this opportunity to join Ipswich was perfect for me. My time at Rotherham gave me some experience of the Championship because I’d never played there before and I’m here to help the team.
"I enjoyed my time at Rotherham and playing the number of games I did. I also played against some top teams in my time there.
"I’m aware of Ipswich as a club and the players who have been here. I know it’s a big club that has done very well this season.
"It would be unbelievable if I could help them to win promotion to the Premier League. That would be ending the season on a real high.”
Photo: ITFC