Striker Kieffer Moore says he’s playing the best football he has ever played and would be happy to stay with loan club Rotherham United for the rest of the season if the Blues don’t opt to cut his spell short in January.
Moore netted a last-gasp equaliser as the Millers drew 1-1 away against South Yorkshire rivals Doncaster Rovers in League One on Saturday to take his tally to 13 league goals for the season in only 16 starts and one sub appearance.
The 25-year-old is not just the highest scorer in League One - ahead of ex-Blues Brett Pitman on 11 and Jack Marriott with 10 - but the top four English divisions.
Town boss Mick McCarthy recently indicated that he is likely to bring Moore, who he signed from Forest Green Rovers for £20,000 in January, back to Portman Road when the transfer window opens.
"Of course I would be happy to stay,” Torquay-born Moore told the Sheffield Star. "It’s out of my hands. I don’t really have a say in it.”
Why does the 6ft 5in tall frontman feel he has had such a prolific spell with Rotherham? "It’s a culmination of everything - great staff, great manager, great everything.
"I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t have the support or the assists I am getting. I am striding with confidence and I believe I am playing the best football I have ever played.”
Regarding his current standing as England’s top scorer, he added: "Yeah, it’s all right! I am enjoying my football, enjoying scoring goals. Hopefully it continues.
"It is always good to get something out of a local derby. When you score in the last minute, it feels like a win. There is always the thought that it’s not our day, but we just needed to keep going. I believed we were going to get something out of it and we did.”
Millers manager Paul Warne felt Saturday’s opponents largely kept Moore quiet: "He got marshalled really well by Doncaster. I was impressed with their defensive unit. Kieffer didn’t have a great deal to do, as in chances, but his work ethic is always there.
"He takes a battering. I am always defending his case with the fourth official because the opposition always put someone in front of him to block him off.
"He is a brilliant kid. Obviously I would like to sign him. Wherever he ends up, he will be a great acquisition for someone, and I wish him all the best.”
Moore is contracted to the Blues until the end of the season with the club having an option to keep him for a further year.