He may still regard himself as a striker but Daryl Murphy has no problem with reverting to the role on the left of midfield which he occupied so effectively last season.

Murphy is back on loan for a third time — his second under present boss Paul Jewell — and could hardly be happier.

He said: “Striker is my preferred position but I really enjoyed it on the left last year and as each game went on I became more comfortable in that position.

“I think me and Cressy did quite well there so I’ve no problem at all with playing left midfield now that I’m settled into that role.

“Most of my games here have been as a left midfielder and I’m more than happy to play there. But the gaffer knows, and I know, that if need be I can play up front if he wants.

“It’s handy for the manager to have that option with me and no matter where I play I will be giving it my all anyway.”

Murphy is back in familiar surroundings and there were only a few new faces to greet him at the Playford Road training ground on Friday morning.

He went on: “I met the new lads at my first training session. It was just a short, sharp session and now I’m looking forward to the game.”

Murphy is confident he can help Ipswich enjoy a good season, adding: “We’ll see what happens but I think we can do well.

“Obviously the first few results were very good and now we’ve had a few bad ones. You just have to forget about games like that. You’re going to get those sometimes and it’s about how you react to it."

Murphy made his third Blues debut in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Huddersfield, assisting Town's first goal, but subsequently conceding the penalty which keeper Scott Loach saved from James Vaughan.

Photo: Action Images

Sospiri added 06:05 - Sep 4 You don't have much choice really do you
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whiskey added 06:11 - Sep 4 what is number 14 doing?
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hogster1970 added 10:53 - Sep 4 well i never went sat as was at a wedding, but from what ive read and herd, murph played ok but like we all thought there was to much hoof ball down to him all the time missing out the midfield all to often, i personaly would like to use his height from getting onto crosses from the right and use his height that way to knock the ball down rather than use his height buy lumping it down the pitch, he may win most balls but depends who picks the ball up after the header, still think that out and out pace and width down the flanks is a better option, but still we will see

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Doctor_Albran added 11:46 - Sep 4 People expect Strikers to score goals - the only person who thinks Murphy is a striker is him! He's hard working, puts himself about, but couldn't hit a cow's backside with a banjo.
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wkj added 16:06 - Sep 4 I wander what his thoughts are on playing CB :
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J45 added 17:34 - Sep 4 Nice see someone that actually wants to play for the club and not just for the money and who is willing to give 100% no matter what position he is played. Althoughpeople give him stick for not being able to perform in the striker role I don't think he would be a bad partner for chopra and would add abit of height upfront, even if he didnt score that many he could get aphew assists and hope chopra scores more with some better service.

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Infineteregress added 20:26 - Sep 4 I'd rather see him played up front (even Keane got that right during his first loan spell). Reckon he'll be confined solely to the wing though.
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Tractastic added 22:17 - Sep 4 Great to see him back and i personally i think his aerial strength is something we need up front. Would like to see him play upfront with Chopra or Taylor who can feed off his knock downs.
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wkj added 06:01 - Sep 5 I think this story and some comments remind me of my one and only major complaint about Paul Jewell- his decision to play Edwards in defense. I have nothing at all against him playing on the back line, but I just seemed to remember how much more I preferred his service into the box. I would love to see PJ go 4-4-2 get some center halves in and a right back, and stick Carlos back in midfield with Murphy and Chops up front.

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