Stephen Henderson insists he remains on the best of terms with rival goalkeeper Scott Loach, the man he replaced in the Town team 16 games ago.

England U21 international Loach, an Ipswich supporter as a boy and a member of the Portman Road academy before his family relocated to the Midlands, described his £150,000 summer switch from Watford as his dream move.

But a below-par display in his 12th appearance, when he made costly errors in the 2-1 home defeat by high-flying Cardiff, saw him axed and replaced by the on-loan West Ham keeper.

Henderson said: “I was aware right from the start, when I heard them chanting his name, that Scotty was a favourite with the fans. Scotty’s a great lad and a really good goalkeeper.

“We have a great relationship both on and off the pitch. He’s been great with me since I came here — we regularly chat about things — and if he got into the team I would be just the same with him.

“It’s a rivalry but we’re helping each other all the time. In this day and age it’s ridiculous the criticism goalkeepers are coming in for.

“Scotty made one mistake against Cardiff and when I got in I just saw it as a chance to play games. I’ve nothing against him. He’s a very good goalkeeper and I’m sure he’ll do well whatever happens.”

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls