Freddie Sears admits he could be forced to consider his Portman Road future in the close season if his frustration at not playing regularly continues through to the end of the current campaign.

Sears said: “Who knows what will happen? I’m 28 and I want to play games. I’m not happy sitting around doing nothing and I feel I’ve got a lot to give, whether it’s going to be here or somewhere else.

“I’m only thinking about our last 11 games of the season and we’ll see what happens from there.

“I think everyone considers it when they’re not playing or not as regularly as they would like. We all want to be in the team.

“I love it here, I love the team and the place, and the manager and TC are brilliant.

“But it’s all about playing games and I’m not the type to be happy sitting around, picking up the money for doing nothing.

“I want to be playing, scoring and achieving stuff. It’s a decision I’ll have to make and we’ll see what happens.

“I’m not saying that I’m going to be leaving — that’s not the case. But we all think about our future and there will be some other boys also thinking about what they’re going to do.

“I’ve still got next year left on my contract here and I’m happy here, so let’s wait and see.”

Sears has yet to score this season in 11 first team starts and a further 19 substitute appearances, the latest of which came on Tuesday when he was an early replacement for the injured Muzzy Carayol in Town’s 2-1 defeat of Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

He added: “You’re always disappointed when you don’t start a game because all you want to do is play — every game if possible.

“But the manager picks the team and as we saw the week before, when we played Cardiff at home, there were a lot of changes.

“You’ve always got to be ready and if you don’t play in one game you might play in the next.

“It worked out pretty well in the end for me because I came on quite early at Hillsborough and it went well. I thought I played well.

“Obviously, I’m more comfortable down the middle, running in behind and playing on the last defender, so I was happy to be back up top.

“Muzzy did brilliantly for us at Preston and Bersant, Garns and Waggy have all been in the team, while I came on the other night.

“We’re definitely a threat going forward and more solid at the back. Hopefully I’ll start on Saturday against Sheffield United but that’s down to the gaffer.

“He may decide to change things because we’re playing three games in a week but I’ll be ready whatever he decides.”

Sears believes Town must cash in against the Blades, and Hull at home on Tuesday, if they are going to mount a late bid to close the current seven-point gap between them and the play-off places.

The 28-year-old Londoner said: “If we want to achieve anything I think we need a couple of wins or at least four points.

“I don’t think we can afford to lose either of them and even if we do win two it’s still a tough ask.

“There are a lot of good teams up there and no one is sitting around at the minute thinking we are going to make the play-offs because it’s still a long way off.

“But if we win our two games going into the game at Bristol City on Saturday week, who knows?

“I think Saturday’s game is massive. Both teams are pushing for the play-offs and if we can beat them and win again on Tuesday we could be just three or four points away.”

While Town were out of action last weekend, due to the postponement of their scheduled home fixture against Hull, Sears revealed that the snow and ice did not unduly disrupt the squad’s preparations.

He added: “It was quite a strange week. People were snowed in and we were reporting for training at different times. We still had a lot to do and we were playing cricket in the dome on Thursday and tennis on Friday.

“It was certainly different but it has obviously worked. We also had a full game on Saturday at Portman Road and the rest took care of itself. We got a great win the other night and we might be playing tennis and cricket a bit more now.”

Meanwhile, Sears has acknowledged the emergence of new striking talent at Portman Road, adding: “I’ve played one or two games for the U23s and Ben Morris is a good, young talent, plus there’s Aaron [Drinan] who’s come over from Ireland.

"You can see the improvement in them since they’ve been training with the senior lads day in, day out.

“I think a lot of people don’t realise how big the step-up is from the U23 football to first team level. It takes time but I’m sure, if there’s nothing to play for towards the end of the season, the gaffer will give them an opportunity and I hope they’ll be ready.”

Photo: TWTD

GatesofDelirium added 21:26 - Mar 8 Most managers these days play only one centre forward & MM is no exception. Had MM played 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 more often, I'm sure Freddie would have been played in his preferred position more often. However, he wasn't going to oust Murph nor Garner/Waghorn so he was shoehorned into the team on the wing to utilize his pace. Sometimes playing players out of position works - eg. Connolly as DM. Sometimes not so much - eg. Chambers as RB. Unfortunately for Freddie, as was the case at West Ham, he isn't quite good enough to be the main man up front. Love his attitude and hope he scores a few before he goes.

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Swn98 added 21:36 - Mar 8 Why try harder bluebore I wind you up without trying.
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Swn98 added 21:38 - Mar 8 Well job done, one Juan Carlos and off to bed.
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blueboy1981 added 21:38 - Mar 8 ......... some people will continually make excuses for McCarthy - the shame is that they are as clueless as the man himself when it comes to how the game should be played. Entertainment is lost on these people - as indeed it is with the man himself. Some will watch the game all their life - and still not understand what offside is, so therefore no point in looking any further into the game. Fact.

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blueboy1981 added 21:40 - Mar 8 Swn98 - all clever stuff .... !!!
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blueheartXT added 22:08 - Mar 8 Does anyone else think Blueboy is really Roy Keane just out to get revenge?
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lightingblue added 22:13 - Mar 8 Tbh there is something about Freddie that I like. I think his an honest player, who does pose a threat. His still only28 and could offer something. His honestly one of them se guys I do feel sorry for. I for one don't give out much sympathy to anyone, but do see something in our Freddie.
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shakytown added 22:41 - Mar 8 Blueboy Just ignore micks mistress.
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cobboldblue added 23:26 - Mar 8 Bye Freddie, shame you were not good enough for a mid table Championship team - good luck and all the best.
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BigHibbs added 00:13 - Mar 9 Tarrico fan spot on. I like Freddie and you can all blame Mccarthy all you like. But he's never been good in front of goal. Even when scoring he was missing lots of chaces, I love Freddie and you can't knock his work rate but quality not quite good enough.
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Toronto_Tractor added 00:58 - Mar 9 I crave a managerial change too but MM can't be blamed for everything! Sears has missed countless oppurtunities in the last 2 years and makes really poor decisions with his head down. I've been furious with him not seeing key pass chances dozens of times. He's maybe never had any composure but previously he just managed to find the net more regularly with Murph flicking balls on. I like him, he's a ‘top bloke' and all but he's a huge liability in the team and we'd be better off playing the youngsters.

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hulltractor added 08:16 - Mar 9 I am sure he is a "Nice Bloke" and his name is custom made for a terrace chant but the goal scoring record speaks for itself. Time to move on Freddie. I would be giving Morris or Drinan a chance ahead of you at this stage of the season with little to play for.
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Swn98 added 08:19 - Mar 9 shakytown to the rescue of the president of the Anti ITFC supporters club whilst your throwing out lies and innuendos why not call me a Scummer as well that usually fits the bill of any body who looks at the situation in a rational way. Well the sun is breaking through in Espana so i will toddle off down the promenade.
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Currie10 added 09:11 - Mar 9 Right - I'm beyond fed up of the fact Mick's ' ruined ' him what an absolute load of rubbish. If you're good enough, you adapt. Sears is clearly in his plomp as part of a 2 - with the big man winning stuff and opening up space for him. Murphy was soooo damn good 14/15 it made Freddy's job a lot easier - however of course he did very well that season too. However, after Murphy's left he's had two seasons of doing very very little. Not one single goal this term, considering Waghorn/Celina/McGoldrick + Garner have all notched at least 7 each. That said, wish him well and like the lad.

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bluehook added 09:54 - Mar 9 Before he starts touting himself out to other teams, he needs to concentrate on scoring a few goals for the club that's paid his wages whilst he sat on the bench doing nothing all season. Start performing when called upon, then you may get an improved contract.
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Lightningboy added 11:04 - Mar 9 Freddie's the sort of player that a Burley or Royle would get the best out of...unfortunately we have Mick.
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RoyalAscotBlue added 11:29 - Mar 9 People suggesting that decent players still score goals when they're played out of position should consider this... How many goals did Murphy score when he was playing left midfield in a 4-4-2 formation at the beginning of McCarthy's reign?
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blueboy1981 added 13:45 - Mar 9 Swn98 ......... I reckon the Sun has had an adverse effect - I'd stay in the shade a bit more if I were you. It seems you think you're the only one that's ever been to Spain ...... !!! - that must surely tell you something ?
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Swn98 added 16:30 - Mar 9 Let's hope Town win their next 2 games then we will not have to listen to your sanctimonious diatribe.By the way I prefer to live in a warmer climate during the winter months due to health reasons not that it's got anything to do with you!
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dirtydingusmagee added 17:40 - Mar 9 cono
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