Loanee winger Ryan Fraser is delighted to be back with the Blues and says he’s ready to get back into action if called upon by manager Mick McCarthy.
The 21-year-old suffered a knee ligament injury while on Scotland U21s duty in early October and underwent his rehab back with parent club Bournemouth before returning to Suffolk last Friday and taking a place on the bench against the MK Dons and at Fulham.
"It’s good to be back and everyone has helped me settle back, even though I’ve had a lot of stick from the lads!” Fraser told Ipswich Player HD.
"That’s to be expected though, and it’s great to be back with the boys and out on the training field.
"I’ve obviously been out for two months or so and the lack of football was getting to me. It was a shame the injury came when it did as I was really enjoying my football at Ipswich but it happens.
"It could have been worse as I thought at first I might have been out for around nine months, rather than nine weeks or so.
"But I’ve been training at Bournemouth for a good two weeks now and I’m itching to get playing again, although the lads have been doing great these last two games.
"I was ready to come on against Fulham but then they brought on big Matt Smith so I think the gaffer thought it would be better for [6ft 2½in tall] Piotr [Malarczyk] to go and mark him rather than me!
"But I’m ready to go if called upon by the gaffer and it will be good to get back at Portman Road for the first time in while this weekend and show my appreciation to the Ipswich fans.”
Meanwhile, Derby will be without first-choice keeper Scott Carson for a fourth game in a row when they visit Portman Road on Saturday, due to a back injury. Lee Grant will continue to deputise.
Irish international midfielder Jeff Hendrick is a doubt having picked up an ankle injury during Tuesday's 4-0 home victory over Bristol City and has subsequently missed training.
Elsewhere, former Blues defender Wayne Brown has withdrawn from the race to be manager of Colchester United but will continue in the role as caretaker while a new permanent is recruited.