Loan signing Frazer Richardson admits it’s not going to be easy for him to break into manager Mick McCarthy’s starting line-up. Currently Luke Chambers is a regular fixture in his preferred right-back slot.

The 31-year-old, on loan from Middlesbrough for the remainder of the season, made his debut as a late sub during Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Bolton, having watched the 2-0 win against Reading from the stand and the 1-1 draw at Leeds from the bench.

Richardson, who launched his career with the Whites, said: “I was thinking it is going to be tough. The boys have defended ever so well, especially the second half against Reading when I thought they were outstanding.

“Then they went up to Elland Road, which is never an easy place to go — as I should know — on a Tuesday night and they worked ever so hard. You could see the team spirit was there. They were just unfortunate to concede quite a late penalty. Overall, things definitely look good.

“My aim is to get out there and play but first and foremost I have to work as hard as I can in training and see where we go from there. I know I can’t expect to walk straight into the side.

“The manager went through all that with me and I just said ‘Give me a chance and I’ll try to prove myself and get in the team. Whatever you want from me I’ll give to try to help the team towards that ambition of promotion’.

“Right now we’re standing in a very good position. We’re only four points short of the play-off places and it just takes teams to slip up and us to win and the gap is down to one, and then it really gets interesting. It’s just about taking each game as it comes and trying to get the three points out of them.”

Richardson, who will be a free agent in the summer, admitted Ipswich was his first and only option after Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka made it clear he was free to leave on loan.

But he added: “I have always been a big admirer of Mick’s throughout his career and we have spoken quite a few times over the years. I know he’s always had a kind of interest in me. As soon as he gave me the call I was desperate to come.

“I believe he came in for me when he was at Sunderland and I was playing for Leeds and then again when he was manager of Wolves.

“But players’ careers have lots of different turns, don’t they? I’m really enjoying it here, the lads have been great and I’ve settled in quite quickly.”

Photo: Action Images

RaymondovicBlue added 11:06 - Feb 4 a fight on his hands..... and marshmallows in his mouth?!?!
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Garv added 12:34 - Feb 4 If he really is a natural right back get him in. The dilemma will be which centre half you drop. Chambers gets targeted every game at right back.
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michael99 added 13:20 - Feb 4 I can see mr average tommy smith being dropped for a Berra /chambers partership soon .Berra is miles better than tommy ,and chambo is not a great rb but excellent cb maybe as soon as the next time we don't keep a clean sheet he will be dropped but defo will happen this season .tommy is decent back up though
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halsteadblue added 14:21 - Feb 4 For all of chambers good points and don't get me wrong he has many unfortunately he is as garv has already said targeted by opposing teams and as the penalty awarded against leeds showed he is whilst playing at right back the weakest link in our defence.I believe if frazer proves to mick that he is as good a defender as chambers he will give us better options going forward on the right hand side,but whatever mick decides to do in mick I trust.............COYB.

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theobald1985 added 16:32 - Feb 4 wish this bloke well but would rather see elliot hewitt given a proper chance
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Marcus added 17:16 - Feb 4 It's difficult to say. Chambers has been the weakest link at right back but has proven himself as being more than capable at centre half. However judgement is made on current rather than historic form so it's obvious who should be dropped.
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Marcus added 17:49 - Feb 4 Theobald - I get the impression Hewitt is a year or so away from being ready to be a first team regular. Reports suggest he didn't progress in the reserves and having someone ahead if him with similar skills and towards the end of his career could set up a decent master and apprentice combination.
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SamWhiteUK added 18:34 - Feb 5 "Chubby bunny"
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