On-loan goalkeeper Stephen Henderson has underlined his desire to remain with Ipswich. Henderson, who has made 16 appearances since being signed from West Ham by ex-Town boss Paul Jewell, is adamant he wants to stay put.

The 24-year-old Irishman said: “I’m due to go back on January 12th but I’ve already spoken to the manager here and told him what I want. I’m desperate to stay here and play games.

“It’s out of my hands at the minute and it’s up to West Ham and Ipswich to sort something out. I’ve no idea what Sam Allardyce is thinking and I’ll just leave it to the gaffer here to talk to him.

“They know how I feel about it. I don’t want to go back and sit on the bench. I need to play and I like to think I’ve shown what I can do after 16 games.”

Henderson, who is contracted to the Hammers until the summer of 2015, would be happy to extend his temporary stay at Portman Road until the end of the current campaign, but has also made it clear he is open to the idea of signing a permanent deal during the January transfer window.

He added: “It’s something that I won’t rule out. I’m open to anything and we’ll just take it as it comes. I’ll have to see what people are saying and weigh up my options.

“While we haven’t always been playing well I’ve really enjoyed the past six or seven games. Everything about the place is impressive — the crowd are electric, the training facilities, it’s a lovely city. I don’t have a bad word to say about it to be honest.

“I’m asking to stay here. I don’t want to leave now. I want to be a part of something and if I’m going to leave I’d rather it was when we were a lot further up the table.

“I had a conversation with the manager and I made it clear that I wanted to stay here and play games. That was the message I wanted to get across. Nothing’s been sorted but I just wanted to let him know how I was feeling.

“Every Tom, Dick and Harry has been linked with West Ham but I take no notice of it. I’m an Ipswich player at the minute. If they do bring someone in that just means that I have to get out on loan again.

“I could sit there and pick up my bench fee but it’s not really in my nature. I wasted too much of my time when I was younger by not playing. I enjoy it too much to go back to that again.

“I’m not willing to sit about, no matter where it is or how good a club I’m with. I’m all about playing at this age.

“That’s why I went out on loan and why I’m so keen to stay here. I think it’s clear that my chance at West Ham has gone. Jussi [Jaaskelainen] is number one for the season and that just means, hopefully, there will be an opportunity for something to get sorted.”

Photo: Action Images

TheJam added 17:43 - Dec 30 IMO henderson is a good stopper, with height. he lets himself down with the time taken to distribute the ball when in posession.
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