Former Blues striker Darren Bent says he’s looking forward to returning to Portman Road for the first time with his new loan club Derby County on Saturday (Sky Sports 1, KO 12.15pm). Bent, 30, joined the Rams on loan from Aston Villa for the rest of the season last week and could make his debut against the Blues.

“I’ve never been back since the day I left, which is quite strange,” Bent, who came through the Town academy alongside recently returned midfielder Darren Ambrose, told the Derby Telegraph.

“I have played them once, in the cup, and managed to score but that was at Villa Park.

“It will be nice to go back there and see some old faces but I’m a Derby player now and I’ve got a job to do for them. The main thing is that we leave there with the three points.”

Derby, who have won their last three matches in all competitions, are third in the Championship two points behind the second-placed Blues, who have lost just once in 21 and are unbeaten in their last 12. Earlier in the season the sides drew 1-1 at the iPro Stadium.

“It’s a massive game — a top-of-the-table clash,” Bent added. “They’re flying and we’re flying, so it should be a fantastic match.

“It’s always a hard place to go — I know that from being there. Teams don’t like going there. But the way Derby play, there’s no reason we can’t go there and get a result.”

Meanwhile, Town have 200 tickets remaining from the 2,000 allocated to them for the Millwall game a week on Saturday. A further 900 seats have been made available to Blues supporters by the Lions and will arrive in midweek.

Ex-Town left-back Dan Harding has joined the South Londoners on loan from Nottingham Forest for the rest of the season.

Elsewhere, former Town boss Paul Jewell is set to be named Tony Pulis’s assistant manager at West Brom.

Jewell has been out of a job since leaving Portman Road by mutual consent in October 2012.

Photo: Action Images

bluelodgeblue added 11:59 - Jan 6 Well said StowTractorBoy, a genuine guy who made some very good signings but sadly it didn't work out. I too wish him the best of luck and who know's Palace may yet come to Town?
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Hegansheroes added 12:58 - Jan 6 Does anyone really think PJ came to Ipswich to make them fail, I'm sure he worked his butt off but it just did not work out-that's football. Good luck to him at WBA. Good to read bluelodgeblue and StowTRactorBoy's comments rather than the dumb comments from many others. Looking forward to the 14th & hopefully a game against CP. Wonder if JW boy will play
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warktheline added 13:11 - Jan 6 Not so convinced people calling PJ a nice guy would be saying the same if MacCarthy hadn't pulled our club away from the abyss. PJ was paid good money to MANAGE, which he undoubtedly failed. Being a nice bloke doesn't cut it at professional levels, and let's not forget he also had money to spend, money that ultimately was wasted, Cresswell of course being the exception. I wish Paul all the best in the future, but sorry, nice guy....it doesn't come into the equation for me. The trouble with professional football managers....many fail miserably, but continue along their merry way, causing nowt but heart felt pain to true football fans. PS I admire Paul Merson, give it a go at Walshall, realised his limitations, and stuck with media work. Maybe others should take a leaf out of his book.

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wkj added 13:44 - Jan 6 I'm really glad PJ is getting into the game again. I don't think he is a terrible manager he just was out of the game far too long to stand a chance of repairing the damage town had sustained. A Stint under Pulis should be exactly what he needs. Will be nice to see bent again but I hope we celebrate come 90 minutes more than he
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Marshalls_Mullet added 13:45 - Jan 6 Warktheline... what are you on about. yes he failed, we all agree with that. But that's doesn't mean he wasnt a nice guy. Strange rant. No one is saying he should have kept his job, they are purely wishing him well. I don't see the issue with that.
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Marshalls_Mullet added 13:46 - Jan 6 Wkj... sorry, down arrowed you by mistake
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warktheline added 13:52 - Jan 6 Mullet, strange rant? It isn't a rant it's an opinion. Secondly, if you read my comments properly, then you would have noticed I wished him well!
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wkj added 13:52 - Jan 6 @Warktheline - I share a lot of the frustrations about Pauls tenure of town manager as yourself except I can say I genuinely believe he had towns best interest at heart; unlike Roy Keane who had only Roy Keanes interests at heart.
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warktheline added 13:56 - Jan 6 Wkj, totally agree with PJ's intentions, and also accept he is a nice guy, as many would testify in football.
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Marshalls_Mullet added 14:12 - Jan 6 Yes, Bent clearly hates the place; "It will be nice to go back there and see some old faces." I seem to recall he turned down a £1m move to Newcastle because he wanted to stay on in the Champ to get more playing time and learn his trade. Horrible fella eh.
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Marshalls_Mullet added 14:16 - Jan 6 Darren Bent rejects Newcastle to stay at Town; http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11678/2324686/bent-content-at-town What a bad guy.
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JoeDickerson420 added 16:46 - Jan 6 Best of luck to him... The likes of Bent, Kuqi, westlake, currie ect are the soul purpose for me following town. hooked me in at at a tender age and bam! you got your self a life time fan best Bent moment was when he got charged with shooting someone with a BB gun and his next goal celebration was 'BANG BANG' HAHA priceless
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compton added 18:39 - Jan 6 darren bent is only after as much money as he can get.
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Marshalls_Mullet added 19:54 - Jan 6 Compton you moron, bent is under contract at Villa. His wage demands don't come into his Derby move. Villa will however want to cover as much of their costs as possible.
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kingcarloss added 20:48 - Jan 6 Don't worry about Bent he will be in Smiths pocket all game, I Just hope Berra is on his game to keep gob shat Martin quiet.
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Warkys_Tash added 21:16 - Jan 6 Great! We are not looking forward to it.. As much as I like him. It would feel very unfair if he were to have a bearing on the game, especially as Derby and spending big on wages..
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oldegold added 21:30 - Jan 6 Frankly don't understand all this vitriol because Bent has not gone over board with his love for Town. May I re-direct some of the Johnny-Come-Latelelys to the warm comments Bent made back in 2007 when he joined Spurs and was fulsome in the part Town played in his progress and development. I recall back in 2004 Bent stayed on at Town when he had real offers to leave but stayed on to assist in Town's last season as promotion candidates in 2004/2005 and around Christmas 2004 he was the sharpest shooter in the Championship and who will forget his last minute goal against Wigan Athletic in Dec 2004 which put Town top? I hope he gets a good reception because we are that type of club and he came through our fabled youth system after all.

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Warkys_Tash added 22:01 - Jan 6 I would like to add that Benty should absolutely get a super warm reception from us Town fans - he was great for us, always gave 110% & nearly got us promoted - I just hope he has a stinker & doesn't score! Nothing personal, but I want to go top of the league when our country cousins do us a favour at Bournemouth!
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