Town boss Paul Lambert has paid tribute to skipper Luke Chambers, who is set to play his 300th league game for the club at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.
Chambers, 33, joined the Blues on a free transfer after leaving Nottingham Forest in July 2012 during Paul Jewell’s time as manager.
Having made his Town debut in a 3-1 home League Cup victory over Bristol Rovers, the Kettering-born central defender or right-back made his league bow a few days later in a 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers, also at Portman Road.
In addition to his 299 league appearances for the Blues, the one-time Northampton Town defender has made 14 cup starts and one sub appearance, as well as starting two play-off games. He has scored 15 goals for Town, all in the league.
Of everyone currently playing in the Championship, only his former Forest team-mate Lee Camp has played more games in the second tier, 487 to Chambers's 452.
"He’s done really well over the course of his career not just since I’ve been here, I’ve only been here four or five months,” Lambert said of Chambers, who recently signed a new two-year contract.
"That longevity is a unique thing to have, especially at one club, so it’s great that way for him.
"The club will need him around, and there will be pressure coming, it’s normal because the young ones are coming through.
"You’re in the twilight of your career at 33 and I’ve said it before, time catches up with you. It doesn’t matter who you are, time eventually gets you and younger ones come through.
"But he’s a really good player and he’s played a helluva a lot of games and it’s great experience around the place for us.”