Ipswich midfielder Andy Drury believes he is now entitled to regard himself as an established Championship footballer.

Plucked from non-league Luton Town in a £150,000 deal in January last year, he was manager Paul Jewell’s first signing for the club and by his own admission took time to adjust to life in English football’s second tier.

But his performances in the current campaign, after returning from a 15-game spell on loan to Crawley Town in which he scored four times, confirm he has found his level several steps up from where he once was as a part-timer.

Drury, 28, may have been on full-time terms with the Hatters but it isn’t so many years ago that he used to combine playing for the likes of Sittingbourne, Gravesend & Northfleet, Lewes and Stevenage Borough with a day job on assorted building sites across the South-East.

A measure of how settled he feels in the Championship is that he has no concerns that he will soon be entering the last year of the 30-month deal he signed when he arrived at Portman Road.

Drury, who has netted twice in 18 appearances for Town this season, said: “Having played nearly 20 games I like to think I have shown this is a level where I am comfortable and look as if I belong, although I want to achieve a lot more than I have so far.

“At the moment I want to play as many games as I can through to the end of the season. People say next season is a big one because it will be the last year of my contract but I’m not even thinking about a new deal for the time being.

“I just want to keep playing and improving. I would love to stay at this club for a few years to come and I realise the only way that is going to happen is if I keep performing to the required standard.”

Photo: Action Images

buryblue77 added 13:30 - Apr 12 Well said Andy, completely agree. Keep the hard work up and we could be in with a shout next year.
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jas0999 added 13:41 - Apr 12 Drury is a 100% trier. Can't fault him for that. But would he get into any of the 6 six teams challenging for a place in the PL? Time will tell, but I doubt it. He is okay - gives everything - but no better than an average Championship player. However, for us that's good and he's miles better than an ageing Bowyer!
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algarvefan added 13:47 - Apr 12 jas FFS, this guy has done fantastically well to establish himself, in a short period of time, as one of the picks of our midfield players. He will likely improve as a player now he has the confidence. Do you ever have anything positive to contribute to this site, it seems that you sit all day at your computer writing stuff to agitate as many people as you can. I'm still not sure about PJ as our long term manager but people like you make me hope he gets us promoted and in the Champions league just to shut you up :)

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shoopdelang added 14:00 - Apr 12 He loves playing for this club can see him having a long and rewarding career with us. When we signed Bullard and Bowyer I was over the moon. However now I can see it is players like Drury who are going to take this club forward, not Bullard or Bowyer. I hate to say it but look what Norwich have achieved with so called average players. I am very confident that premier league football is not too far away for us. P.S F*ck up Jas you are boring

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DiamondGezzer added 14:31 - Apr 12 For me, Andy Drury has been one of the highlights of the season and I truely believe that there is more to come from this young man. Jas0999 :- If we were in the Premiership and the Champions League you'd say that someone's boots were the wrong colour or players were farting out of tune. Take a long look at yourself for Christ sake, and try and see the positives in things, I'm sure it will make you feel a whole lot better Mr. Scrooge !

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Len_Brennan added 14:39 - Apr 12 I can't remember which manager signed Andy Drury ... oh yes, it was Paul Jewell. I wonder, jas, does this have anything to do with your (latest)preposterous comment?
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 14:52 - Apr 12 It would seem that the jump from non league to championship was hard for Drury. What a good idea it was to loan him out to Crawley. He came back full of confidence and looked a different player. Hmm, who decided to do that I wonder !!. Good point shoopdelang, the scummers and swansea for that matter have no stars and most people can't name more than two or three of their players but they have both done very well. Confidence, belief and team spirit are hugely important factors in my opinion.

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Keaneish added 15:19 - Apr 12 Has become a really good signing and a snip at £150,000... Agree with you Dozzells_Bobblehat, good management from PJ to recognise the potential and give him a spell in a successful Div 2 side. Would PJ have actually sold him though if Crawley could have come up with the fee? Who knows...? Reaping the rewards now though. Another good signing from PJ at a bargain price. Hopefully we can add a few more to this in the summer.

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Lathers added 16:30 - Apr 12 I see him becoming a modern day Simon Milton.
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Ipswich24 added 16:30 - Apr 12 I really like Drury, he has done really well. This goes to prove that signing hungry players who want to better themselves from the lower leagues is the way forward. Would love us to get Evans from Sheffutd, Smithies from Huddersfield and Matt Ritchie from Swindon top young talent with a point to prove.
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CornardBlue added 19:09 - Apr 12 jas i do not think you have ever seen Andy Drury play.
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TractorBoy666 added 19:26 - Apr 12 Jas really? Your comparing us to the top 6? We done the double over West Ham, we got a point against Southampton and we gave Blackpool a good 2-2 draw. Also may of won the Birmingham game. Anything can happen in this league. Poor comment from you i have to admit even though all your comments are poor.
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RegencyBlue added 20:19 - Apr 12 Drury would have been on his way in January if Crawley had met Jewells valuation so credit to Drury but none to Jewell!!
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