Town loanee Luke Varney has expressed his desire to earn himself a permanent deal at Portman Road.

Blackburn striker Varney has four games left of the regular season — he cannot face his parent club on the final day at Ewood Park — and then perhaps the play-offs in which to make the sort of impact that will have manager Mick McCarthy looking to make him an offer.

Varney, 32, said: “My aim was to come here and hopefully do well enough that there might be something at the end of it. If there is it will mean I’ll have done my job and the club will have benefited as well.

“We’ll see where we are in the summer but for the time being I’m just enjoying my time here and I hope that will continue over my last four games.

“I can’t see me staying at Blackburn, I must admit. The manager [Gary Bowyer] has said he wants to work with me again but I don’t know if that means at Blackburn or elsewhere.

“I see my future away from there and I’ve really enjoyed my time at Ipswich so if there was a chance to stay on it is something I would definitely think about.

“Mick McCarthy has not said anything to me about it and I don’t think it’s the right time. We’re all concentrating on this short period through to the end of the season.

“The next couple of games are very important and once we’ve played them we can sit down and see where we go from here. We don’t know what league we are going to be in but we know which one we want to be in.”

Town take on Blackpool and Cardiff at home in the next four days, clashes of extra significance after the Easter Monday defeat at Huddersfield that saw them drop down to eighth place in the Championship table, three points adrift of sixth-placed Wolves.

Varney was asked how big a setback it was to lose in Yorkshire and responded: “Probably not as big as we thought but obviously it will depend on Saturday’s and Tuesday’s results. It has given us a lot more impetus to put things right against Blackpool and Cardiff.

“The first priority is Blackpool and we need to put in a good performance because if we do that we have a better chance of winning the game. We let ourselves down at Huddersfield, for sure, especially in the first half.

“It was a long journey back on Monday and it wasn’t a nice one if I’m being honest. But the lads are an honest bunch and it doesn’t need the gaffer to say a great deal.

“As players we take a lot of responsibility and it was a tough journey back to Ipswich, but the mood in the camp is still good and we’ve moved on from the Huddersfield game. We’re talking about the Blackpool and Cardiff games now.”

Varney netted Town’s only goal, his first for the club in eight appearances, and he admitted it came as a relief to get off the mark.

He said: “I think it’s important sometimes, probably for other people who might judge you, but I’ve felt good about the games I’ve played in. I feel like I’ve been involved in creating chances and stuff but yes, of course it was nice to stick one in.”

Photo: Action Images

BrettenhamBlue added 06:03 - Apr 10 He's made a really good impression at ITFC and works hard. Deserves a one-year contract so he can settle in.
9

BlueySwede added 06:10 - Apr 10 I was sceptic about signing him and very happy with signing Wood. Proves even I can be wrong at times. Varney gives his all and has a bit of quality as well.
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MickMillsTash added 06:24 - Apr 10 Have not seen him kick the ball - only head it which he seems quite good at Does not look a centre forward and is definitely not a right midfielder Its a No from me
1

RoyKeanesDog added 06:38 - Apr 10 Is exceeding my expectations. If he continues to put a shift in I wouldn't be displeased if he was given a contract.
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jas0999 added 06:50 - Apr 10 He is okay. No more, no less.
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Jimmy86 added 06:53 - Apr 10 Keep playing the way you have in the last 3 games and I'm sure Mick will offer you a contract reg!! Upstaging Chris Wood atm, but it's important to bear in mind wood was out injured with an ankle injury prior to joining us on loan.
2

GiveusaWave added 06:58 - Apr 10 If we continue to use the tactics we use (hoofball), then he is a solid signing. Good in the air and is able to bring down the ball well. Will never score many goals but as others have said; has upstaged Woods.
3

bluefeast added 07:34 - Apr 10 Should not even be talking about the card if game ,its blackpool next ,if we don't win that game then card if game will be an on the beach thinking of holidays.
0

Cakeman added 08:24 - Apr 10 Reg has pleasantly surprised me as well. Very pleased with his contribution, I don't think I have seen many put in as much energy and effort as he does. He is very effective at pressurising players and putting himself about. Well worth a contract in my view.
4

Cloddyseedbed added 08:29 - Apr 10 At 32 it would only be a short term contract and in my mind yet another attempt at a short term cheap option. Old players at the end of their careers get injured more often. How about looking for younger players down the league and improving them. After all we play the same football as the lower league clubs.
1

muhrensleftfoot added 08:48 - Apr 10 He's OK, but only OK and at 32 yrs old, I would hope we would be taking a chance next season on younger forwards from lower leagues, as we have with Freddie Sears. That is assuming we aren't awash with £millions in the Premier...
4

MyBlueHeaven added 09:29 - Apr 10 Footballer without a club would like a contract at club that might want him. Well I never.
3

ormey75 added 10:39 - Apr 10 Thanks but no thanks
0

Razor added 10:40 - Apr 10 Of course he does. Runs around a lot so MM will love him but not for me.
2

Michael11 added 10:41 - Apr 10 I've been pleasantly surprised by Varney. He's had more of an impact than I ever expected him to. However, I still don't see him as a long term solution. This squad is in dying need of some pace on the wings and I pray we finally bring someone in who can actually run at defenders in the summer.
2

bluesince84 added 11:08 - Apr 10 Fair enough, you've got 5 games to earn one. Show us how much you want it!
2

essexbluey added 11:35 - Apr 10 Think he may be worth a pay as you play contract. Have to be careful with loan players who want a contract because after they sign they forget how to play football.
2

Superblue95 added 12:05 - Apr 10 Thought he looked brilliant against Bournemouth and scored a decent goal on Monday. Wouldn't see the harm in giving him a one year contract. He's a battler and would provide good backup
2

NSL added 12:48 - Apr 10 The ironic thing is that if these type of players do too well and get us promoted then they have no chance of earning a new contract next year!
2

paulthebluealien added 12:51 - Apr 10 Think he's been fantastic, actually. Much better than both Wood and Fryers anyway.
4

bostonusablue added 13:01 - Apr 10 Why do so many fans on here give out negative marks if the comment you make is not all happy and positive about the storyline?? The whole point of the comment box is to, you guessed it, give your opinion. Why give someone a negative mark if they say that they'd prefer not to sign Varney? I personally think we have too many Varney's in the squad already. I'd prefer the the manager find young, talented, and hungry players like Mings to add to the squad, rather than aging journeymen. I'll await the minus arrows to begin.

3

FenboyBlue added 13:10 - Apr 10 Varney Army! Varney Army! etc
1

bluefeast added 13:26 - Apr 10 God knows why we signed wood ,there was an abundance of creative talent available in that window ,under 21 players from perm sides who have what we don't have much of ,i.e. pace . Wood has caused his own team mates more problems on the pitch than the opposition. Varney on the other hand has been a revelation. Hard work ,aggression and a real team player. However we don't need another barney type going into next season ,we need what we have not got ,i.e. right back ,right mid ,left mid ,centre mid. Then we might just play balanced football.

2

marshallmania added 13:26 - Apr 10 Yes from me. Been dedicated to the team and played well when given his chances
2

Len_Brennan added 14:14 - Apr 10 @bostonusablue: "Why do so many fans on here give out negative marks if the comment you make is not all happy and positive about the storyline?? The whole point of the comment box is to, you guessed it, give your opinion. Why give someone a negative mark if they say that they'd prefer not to sign Varney? " - The minus arrow just indicates that someone disagrees with your opinion, it doesn't (for most people anyway) suggest that you are not entitled to that opinion. The whole point of the up & down arrows is to measure the reaction to the opinion expressed, opinions on your opinion if you will. I do agree with your point that we have enough Varney type players in the squad, but I can't fault his efforts since he arrived, so I wouldn't be unhappy if he was offered a contract. I'm not sure where that leave me arrow-wise though.

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