Luke Varney admits his scoring record could be better but believes he can still make a major contribution to Town’s ongoing promotion challenge.

The loan signing from Blackburn last netted in September 2013, for previous club Leeds in a 1-0 win at Bolton, and is desperate to make up for lost time during his temporary spell at Portman Road.

Varney, who moved to Ewood Park on loan a year ago and then made the switch permanent in July last year, said: “My return is probably not as good as I’d like but I’m always involved around the goals when I’m on the pitch and if I can get a few minutes here I’ll hopefully stick a few away for the lads.

“It has been a frustrating time at Blackburn but the manager, Gary Bowyer, has been brilliant to be honest. I had said I would rather stay back, keep myself fit and get ready for another opportunity at another club, and he was fully understanding about that.

“The transfer embargo at Blackburn obviously didn’t help because there were certain rules where I couldn’t play games and eventually it got too much. I got on against Leeds and did really well — I won a penalty and we won the game — but after that I didn’t get a minute for five games.

“The manager wanted to keep me around but didn’t really play me so it was a bit of a funny one. But I’ve got nothing bad to say about them — it’s a great place with some lovely people.

“They sent me here with their best wishes as well so we’ve left on good terms and I’m just looking forward to doing well here now.”

Varney insists he has no regrets about quitting Elland Road and added: “I was in a weird situation at Leeds with my contract. I needed to play a certain amount of games and I ended up getting slowed down somewhat.

“I was doing okay but you can get promised games at clubs and things don’t quite pan out.

“It’s not a problem but the fans must think ‘What’s it about?’ because I’ve come here and haven’t been playing at Blackburn. But different managers see different things and I’m sure I will play a big part. I’m really looking forward to it.

“I must admit that I’ve never put too much pressure on myself about scoring goals. I like to be involved in creating scoring chances, as well as scoring goals, and I’ve had one session with Terry [Connor].

“I’ve done a lot of fitness work at Blackburn, instead of the shooting because I wasn’t really playing, but now I’m in a different mode I feel like I want to get in among the chances and hopefully put a few in for Ipswich.

“Mick was saying that he goes 4-4-2 but with Didzy injured we can also go 4-3-3 — we’ve got the personnel — and the gaffer said that I can do that for him.

“I’m one of those who will probably do the dirty side, shall we say, the defending as well. It’s perfect for me because whatever way we go I’ll do as much as I can to help the squad.”

Photo: Action Images

parhamblue added 13:06 - Feb 24 Exactly. Since Sammon's departure we haven't had the personnel to play 4-3-3. Now with Varney we do. The third forward always has to do the dirty stuff in the system Mick plays. I agree with all on here that we are effective with that system.
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