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Spence: I'd Like to Stay - Ipswich Town News

Jordan Spence admits he would like to remain at Town beyond the end of his current deal when it expires in the summer.

Following his release by MK Dons following their relegation back to League One after one season in the Championship he was invited to have a trial with Town but after playing in two U23s games in September and October he was not offered a permanent deal.

But Town boss Mick McCarthy, looking to add to his staff in the January transfer window, handed Spence a second chance to impress and he was subsequently rewarded with a six-month deal.

He has made 12 appearances at full-back and wing-back, only twice finishing on the losing side.

Spence said: "I’ve been pleased with how I’ve been performing but like always there are things I could have done better and things that I look at and think ‘I’d like to replicate that’.

"Judging form is tough because every game is different and requires something different from me, whether it’s a different position or whatever the case may be. I’m enjoying it and I think when you are enjoying it you play well.

"I’ve always said I would like to stay here based on my experience thus far.

"As to what happens, is it in my control or out of my control? It’s subsequently in my control because if I keep playing well enough then I think they would want to keep me here.

"I don’t have a preference between right-back and right wing-back. Both involve a lot of running up and down but I have no preference for either.

"The manager picks the system and the system we played against Birmingham, although that was with four at the back, still required me to engage with their players higher up the pitch than maybe it might if I was playing in a back four in another situation.

"They played five at the back with the midfield diamond, which is obviously quite rare. It’s about horses for courses, a different thing each week and I just try to keep it simple — run about, make tackles, win headers and pass the ball forward.”

Reminded he was close to claiming his first Town goal in midweek with a mazy dribble into the Wigan box, Spence was also asked if he was trying to make forward runs a more regular feature of his game.

"Not necessarily consciously,” he responded, "but when the opportunity arises I think the manager likes when I get forward. I try to pick my moments and try to be as positive as possible.

"I’m always aware that my first thought is usually to slide someone in or cross it but the other night it opened up for me and I kept going — then I shanked my shot!”

Meanwhile, Spence is encouraging Town fans to take in the new Power Rangers movie, the recently released family adventure that just happens to star his wife, 23-year-old actress Naomi Scott, in the role of Kimberly Hart, the Pink Ranger.

He smiled: "I actually got the opportunity to see it four months ago when they showed it to my wife for the first time. I enjoyed it and it was surprisingly enjoyable for someone who grew up watching the television series.

"I thought Naomi did a really good job and I would thoroughly recommend it. She likes football comes along to my games as often as she can. We are each other’s biggest fans. She was there to see us win on Tuesday night but she can’t make the Fulham game on Saturday.

"She enjoys watching the games and she is also enjoying her time in this part of the world as well.”

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