Town midfielder Grant Ward, a half-time substitute when he marked his debut with a hat-trick on the opening day of the season, is keen to add to his goal tally before the campaign comes to an end in May.
After his three goals in the second half of the 4-2 win over Barnsley he added one against both Preston and QPR, which means he will be looking for his first goal away from Portman Road at Brighton this evening.
Ward said: "It’s been a little while now since I scored and I haven’t had too many shots in recent games. I’m looking to add a few goals between now and the end of the season.
"The gaffer wants me to get in the box whenever I can and obviously that’s where most goals are scored. I definitely want to add to the goals I’ve already scored.”
Seven of the ex-Tottenham player’s 29 league appearances this season have come from the bench and he added: "I think every player who finds himself out of the starting line-up is going to be a bit frustrated.
"But the main thing is how you respond. You have to continue to give it your all in training and believe that you will get your chance.
"When you eventually do, that’s when you need to make an impact. If I can get on the ball I can get up and down, driving at opponents, and hopefully get a few more goals.”
Ward believes Town boss Mick McCarthy did some good transfer business in January when a total of seven new faces checked in at Portman Road. He said: "They are all good guys and I knew a few of them beforehand. I was on loan at Coventry with Dominic Samuel and he’s a good player, big and strong.
"He’s also quick and runs in behind, and when he gets the chance he’s a good finisher.
"He’s been a bit unfortunate with injuries in recent years and even when he came here he was unlucky to break his toe, so we won’t see him for a few weeks.
"The new guys have all added to the competition for places and given the manager more options. With all the injuries we had we were in need of a few new faces.”
Ward is set to start at Brighton alongside loanees Toumani Diagouraga and Emyr Huws, and while the Seagulls and Newcastle have a bit of breathing space in the Championship’s two automatic promotion places he is not ruling out a shock result.
He added: "I wouldn’t say they are head and shoulders above the rest but they are clearly good teams and flying at the minute.
"But when Brighton came to Portman Road earlier in the season I thought we gave them a good game and we’ll be looking to do the same at their place.
"The draw against Reading and the win at Aston Villa has given us momentum and lifted confidence so we’re going there in a very positive frame of mind.
"I don’t think we’re miles behind. I think it will just take a bit more time for everyone to gel.”
Ward has echoed the views of other players by admitting the players owe manager McCarthy, who has confessed he will be considering his future in the summer, a few good displays between now and the end of what has been an often-traumatic season.
He explained: "The gaffer is the one who gets most of the criticism when things are not going well and I think we owe him a few good performances, like the ones we have turned in recently.
"At the end of the day we are the ones who are out on the pitch and we must do our best for him and the club, not just for ourselves.”