Striker Kieffer Moore says he’s playing the best football he has ever played and would be happy to stay with loan club Rotherham United for the rest of the season if the Blues don’t opt to cut his spell short in January.

Moore netted a last-gasp equaliser as the Millers drew 1-1 away against South Yorkshire rivals Doncaster Rovers in League One on Saturday to take his tally to 13 league goals for the season in only 16 starts and one sub appearance.

The 25-year-old is not just the highest scorer in League One - ahead of ex-Blues Brett Pitman on 11 and Jack Marriott with 10 - but the top four English divisions.

Town boss Mick McCarthy recently indicated that he is likely to bring Moore, who he signed from Forest Green Rovers for £20,000 in January, back to Portman Road when the transfer window opens.

“Of course I would be happy to stay,” Torquay-born Moore told the Sheffield Star. “It’s out of my hands. I don’t really have a say in it.”

Why does the 6ft 5in tall frontman feel he has had such a prolific spell with Rotherham? “It’s a culmination of everything - great staff, great manager, great everything.

“I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t have the support or the assists I am getting. I am striding with confidence and I believe I am playing the best football I have ever played.”

Regarding his current standing as England’s top scorer, he added: “Yeah, it’s all right! I am enjoying my football, enjoying scoring goals. Hopefully it continues.

“It is always good to get something out of a local derby. When you score in the last minute, it feels like a win. There is always the thought that it’s not our day, but we just needed to keep going. I believed we were going to get something out of it and we did.”

Millers manager Paul Warne felt Saturday’s opponents largely kept Moore quiet: “He got marshalled really well by Doncaster. I was impressed with their defensive unit. Kieffer didn’t have a great deal to do, as in chances, but his work ethic is always there.

“He takes a battering. I am always defending his case with the fourth official because the opposition always put someone in front of him to block him off.

“He is a brilliant kid. Obviously I would like to sign him. Wherever he ends up, he will be a great acquisition for someone, and I wish him all the best.”

Moore is contracted to the Blues until the end of the season with the club having an option to keep him for a further year.

Photo: Larry McQuillan/Drogheda United

cranky_old_tractor added 18:29 - Nov 13 I am really pleased for him and his confidence. I would only be confident if he were brought back and we played a style to his strengths but under current regime I cannot see this happening. His is better off staying at Rotherham unless MM badgers off to Sunderland or somewhere else
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cat added 18:39 - Nov 13 Blueboy- yet again your being disrespectful and I for one have had enough. Comparing a MM type player to a pit pony?? What the feck has a pit pony ever done to you!! I've been pro Moore from the off (check history) and are obviously delighted he's proving me right!!. Best he stays there till end of season imo cause the ‘naughty' Dino didn't give him much of a chance last one. Great that we are on the good side of a loan deal for a rather refreshing change.

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Bluetone added 19:37 - Nov 13 It is not beyond the realms of possibility that ITFC and Rotherham could be in the same league next season.
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blue75 added 20:11 - Nov 13 Monkey Blue I can't stand that man McCarthy and I want him gone yesterday. But I never slagged off his purchase of Kieffer or Rowe lower league gambles are always worth a punt!! I will slag McCarthy off for not giving these players time on the pitch or a style of play which suits them. Please don't tar everyone one with you narrow minded view of those of us that feel our club would be a better place without McCarthy in it!!

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Dissboyitfc added 20:28 - Nov 13 Just maybe he is enjoying his football and deep down he knows he doesnt like MM's style of football.
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bobble added 23:10 - Nov 13 mick is a bit rubbish really , isnt he ?
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harlingblue added 02:17 - Nov 14 Give him a new contract now, even if he stays at Rotherham for the rest of this season. He has earned his chance to kick off next year as a main player in an improved Town squad.
3

Karlosfandangal added 05:35 - Nov 14 Massive step up from Forrest Green to leading aipswich front line. Town fans are starting to turn on Garner so Moore would have been ripped to bits if he were not scoring for Town. Leave the lad at Rotherham as Town are scoringing goals and let him learn his trade and next season give the lad a go like Nydam and Downes and who knows maybe someone to brake Crawford record......... sorry just dreaming for a minute

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Sam added 06:18 - Nov 14 Moore seems to enjoy life at Rotherham and clearly needs to stay there. However, shold one of our attacking players get injured, he's our first call. Well played Kieffer!!!!!!!!!!!
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MarkK14 added 06:28 - Nov 14 Bring back Moore, and send Sears to Rotherham? Also, sign Moore up on a decent contract - he's clearly decent.
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brittaniaman added 09:10 - Nov 14 Carry on like that he will soon be a million pound player !!!!!
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 11:51 - Nov 14 Sam's idea seems like a good compromise. Let him stay after January, but with a recall clause if one of our front men get injured. If he comes back now, the best he can probably hope for is an odd 15-minutes at the end of a match here and there. I just get the feeling he wouldn't shine. Just as a matter of interest, was it MM personally who scouted him or someone else at the club? I suppose we shall never know.

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Palestine added 12:19 - Nov 14 In conclusion from above: 1. Keep him at Rotherham for full season. He won't play enough at Town so better he stays there and gets to 20+ goals. He will learn and develop more, become a better and more valuable player, and be properly fighting for a place come August. Include a recall option though to cover for injuries. 2. Take up the option on his contract now, and perhaps even extend it, so he is clearly a Town player. My two penneth - he is already worth £1-2m but if he stays there for whole season and scores goals then he definitely is. Then we either have a great striker for next season or we can use the £1-2m to strengthen elsewhere. WIN-WIN.

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Seasider added 12:44 - Nov 14 Although Phil has not mentioned it above,the EADT has reported that Keiffer said he has not heard from Mick McCarthy at all. Hope this will soon be rectified.The Ipswich Manager could at least congratulate Moore on his scoring ability even if the decision to bring him back has not yet been made. He is after all the leading scorer in the top 5 divisions,quite a feat.Hope Mr Evans isn't considering cashing in at the January Sales ?

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blueboy1981 added 13:33 - Nov 14 ....... I see Swn98 still cannot remove that superglue from his finger - that doesn't surprise me tho'... !!
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Pilgrimblue added 13:35 - Nov 14 As I recall Steve it was one of Mick'f pals that called and recommended Moore for a trial. It's worked out well so far but the £1m question is can he step up. I hope so.
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blueboy1981 added 14:06 - Nov 14 ...... Pilgrimblue - Why question 'can he step up' ? - in my opinion the jump from Forest Green to Rotherham has already proved that point massively. He is a natural goal scorer. You're probably one who doesn't recognise the importance of service to natural GOAL SCORERS, saying what you have. In so doing, equally being one who would soon be labelling him a failure if he came back to play for McCarthy, and the goals were not then forthcoming. Kieffer knows full well that if he came back, and McCarthy continued with his current (and apparently only ) style of play - his current level of service would definitely NOT be there. He will be hoping that he doesn't get recalled - is the reality of it all. SEE IT AS IT REALLY IS PEOPLE - no point of masking / hiding the truth.

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TimmyH added 20:38 - Nov 14 Get Moore back and send Sears out on loan...simple as that.
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TimmyH added 20:41 - Nov 14 Saying that Moore would probably want to stay put...
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