Luke Varney and his Town team-mates have set themselves a target of a maximum six-point haul from the forthcoming home clashes against Blackburn and Rotherham.

If Mick McCarthy’s men can put the disappointment of banking just one from last week’s lengthy trips to Bolton and Cardiff, and collect all six available to them over the next five days, it will provide a timely boost to their chances of emulating last season’s top-six finish.

The experienced striker is looking to play as leading a role as possible in Town’s remaining games and has a special reason for hoping he can help to deliver another play-off place.

It was in the first leg of last season’s semi against Norwich at Portman Road that the experienced striker was stretchered off just past the half-hour mark with a torn achilles, which kept him out of action until December.

Varney, 33, said: “I feel as if it’s the time of the season when we’re coming up to Christmas and it’s my sort of time. I’m hoping the season will be extended because we are in the play-offs.

“I want to get as much football as I can because I feel hungry and still ready to go. Whatever minutes I get, hopefully I’ll make a positive impression on the squad and for the good of the club.”

The player, who includes tonight’s visitors Blackburn among his former clubs, was asked if doubts were starting to creep in among the Town players, and responded: “No, not at all. Not doubts, but obviously there is a bit of disappointment for sure, especially with the nature of the result at Bolton after the late penalty [conceded by Ainsley Maitland-Niles].

“There was no blame put on Ainsley and he was more disappointed than anyone. We all dusted ourselves off and got ready for another long journey.

“It was a tough trip down to Cardiff and amongst the squad we were again very disappointed, probably in terms of our application with some of the stuff that went on Saturday.

“When I say lack of application it was probably just the jobs we were asked to do. When you actually think about it, it was a massive game for us. They are direct competitors and we finished that game probably thinking that we hadn’t done enough and didn’t deserve anything.

“If we looked round the changing room we probably didn’t deserve even a point on Saturday, so maybe it was the right outcome. But, like I said, we dusted ourselves off quickly and got in Sunday morning.

“Training was sharp and we had another decent session on Monday to get ready for a tough game at home to Blackburn.

“The nature of the Championship is that we get another game — soon as — but I must admit the journey back from Cardiff was quiet, although it was better than I expected and we all realise we’re still in there fighting for the play-offs.

“We have a game in hand that will hopefully see us put the disappointment behind us quite quickly.”

Photo: Action Images

tractorshark added 09:08 - Mar 15 Varney is whole-hearted but he needs a 'Chaplow' moment. Unfortunately, he looks like a sympathy signing right now.
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essexboy added 09:56 - Mar 15 It's ok to say "your setting yourself a target" but this should have been your target starting last August(I'm talking about the whole team).not just Varney
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Elto added 10:12 - Mar 15 Varney looked fairly good at Bolton when he came on. Sharper than most of the starters. Maybe worth a go from the start tonight, former club and all that.
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