New Blues loan signing Luke Matheson says his experience of League One with Rochdale will help him during his spell at Town.

The 18-year-old right-back joined Town from Wolves before yesterday’s deadline and will remain at Portman Road for the rest of the season.

Matheson only found out about the Blues’ interest yesterday at 4.30pm, then once the deal was done drove to Suffolk before training with his new team-mates for the first time this morning.

"It was great," Matheson told iFollow Ipswich. "The lads have been great with me. I had a few phone calls from players last night and obviously spoke to [manager] Paul [Lambert] and a few of the staff last night as well. They’ve really taken me under their wing and I feel at home already to be honest.

"I spoke with Paul and Lee on Zoom within 30 minutes of finding out there was interest. They told me what they wanted from me and what I could get out of this loan and it was a definite yes on my part. I’m glad that they’ve given me the chance here.

"He said he wanted to see the things that I’ve done previously at Rochdale and Wolves. He said he wanted for me to continue my enthusiasm, my hard work, my running up and down the pitch.

“He doesn’t want to take away the attacking side of my game but he also wants me to sprint back and work defensively for the team.”

Born in Fallowfield, Manchester, Matheson moved from Rochdale to Wolves a year ago for £1 million before returning to Spotland on loan for the rest of the ultimately curtailes 2019/20 season.

In total, he made 18 League One starts and five sub appearances for Dale, as well as a further eight cup starts and featured in two further ties from the bench.

"I made my debut when I was 15 and in year 11 so that was almost three years ago now,” Matheson recalled. “I’ve done it before, I do have that experience.

“I’ve played nearly a season in this league until the virus and the lockdown, of course. I think that experience will definitely help me.”

Matheson is yet to make a senior appearance for Wolves and, having spent time out after suffering an ankle knock in pre-season, has made four starts and five sub appearances for their U23s, one appearance from the bench for the U21s in the Papa John’s Trophy and also played the full 90 minutes in an FA Youth Cup defeat to Norwich City, coincidentally the club he supported as a boy with his father hailing from north of the East Anglian border.

"I’ve loved every minute of it at Wolves,” he added. “I’ve trained with the first team and with Nuno [Espirito Santo, Wolves manager]. It’s been a phenomenal experience, training with such a high calibre of player - you learn so much.

“In just a one or two-hour training session, the amount of content that you can learn is crazy to be honest.

"I just want to give my all and help where I can with this team, and I think we can do really well together.

“It’s such a beautiful stadium and it’s absolutely massive. I can’t wait to get out there on the pitch and hopefully play in front of fans as soon as possible.”

Photos: ITFC

BluedanW added 23:20 - Feb 2 I am as upset with the current state of our club. But slating a young lad who has come in to play for us is pretty low. Good luck to him, genuinely looks pleased to be here and I love his enthusiasm. I hope he hasn't read the comments on here, Who would want to come and play for us at the moment?
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NITFC added 23:28 - Feb 2 He was superb in the game at Rochdale last season. Really stood out It's a shame he isn't still there in a way. Another one tempted by the big money in the Premier League far too early and ends up being loaned out. Let's hope we can use that to our advantage Welcome to Ipswich Luke and good luck
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Gforce added 23:45 - Feb 2 Best of luck Luke, here's to the playoffs and Wembley (we can dream!) I might even have a punt on you for the first goal, if I can get 100/1.😁
3

StavangerBlue added 23:47 - Feb 2 Injured first game out?
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TedBrownLives added 00:01 - Feb 3 This lad is a breath of fresh air. Great to see his enthusiasm. Hope he hits the ground running and makes a badly needed difference. Welcome Luke and good luck!
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trncbluearmy added 05:18 - Feb 3 Remember seeing this lad play ITFC at Rochdale Very good going forward,defensively a little lightweight but he was only 16 then Suspect he is much stronger now. Looked ridiculously young but so did George Burley Good signing this one and possibly one to keep permantly
7

WonTheCupin78 added 05:51 - Feb 3 Good player, welcome to ITFC.
3

therein61 added 07:15 - Feb 3 Welcome young man and good luck lets hope it goes well for you.
5

Upthetown1970 added 07:23 - Feb 3 Good luck to the lad and welcome. Loans are not the way this club is going to improve. We need to nurture our own and give them the opportunity. These loan signings will all return to their own clubs at the end of the season and worry what league Ipswich Town are playing in. With our own players that's the complete opposite as they definitely care what league we are in if they want to develop as players. Play our own young talent instead.

0

ringwoodblue added 07:52 - Feb 3 Judge him by his performances on the pitch not by his haircut.
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dirtydingusmagee added 07:56 - Feb 3 the club presumably see him as more advanced than our boys, or it dosnt make much sense, there will be no point in him coming to Town if he isnt going to feature in first team. I REALLY DO WISH HIM WELL, but fear he is too young to make significant impact, and the situation at the moment will put a lot of pressure on him.
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BettyBlue added 08:37 - Feb 3 Wil he get a chance to play when Judgy is hogging his place?
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fergalsharkey added 08:43 - Feb 3 Who is she and what has she got to do with football?
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ChrisR added 09:06 - Feb 3 Well good luck Luke , should be first choice RB from now ...which means LK to Centre Half or dropped , and KVY out for the season ( will he ever be as good again as in those few games played in Aug 19 when we had 2 attacking full backs) ? Still want Lambert gone though !
0

spanishblue added 09:21 - Feb 3 Someone remind me how old Burley was, when he was thrown in, he's half Chambers age so he might just be more mobile, if alll 4 of the loans start it'll be like a nursery on the pitch, we might even score 2 goals,wishful thinking
5

norfolkbluey added 10:15 - Feb 3 I am appalled by some of the comments on here referring to age, and haircuts. It just shows the amount of thoughtless and insensitive people we have who supposedly support our club. They should be ashamed. This is akin to cyber bullying. Its a totally different matter when we see week in week out poor management but to start play ground bullying makes me wonder about our humanity. I say good luck young man sorry about some of our so called supporters who some of us would not wish to be associated with.

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Marinersnose added 10:51 - Feb 3 Welcome and good luck. You will be a massive upgrade on Chambers. Unfortunately you'll probably have Chambers moved to centre back and Wolfenden axed yet again. Hopefully Chambers will encourage and not berate as he did with Garbutt.
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BettyBlue added 11:17 - Feb 3 Goodbye Bennetts
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BobbyBell added 11:19 - Feb 3 Just don't pass the ball forwards and you'll be fine lol.
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Razor added 11:22 - Feb 3 Portmanpie and fergalsharkey why so negative----have you seen him play? The business on Monday was smart and clever and gives us so many more options and if nothing else strengthens the squad----can you not see that? Try and be a bit more positve just for a second----COME ON YOU BLUES!!
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WhoisJimmyJuan added 12:08 - Feb 3 Upthetown. On the whole I agree with you.i think these signings are a last throw of the dice for Lambert. The first team needs a boost and uts not going to come from within the club at the moment. The only way is under 21 loans. If it works and we start to win games, the mood in the dressing room might lift. But its a big if, and as others say, quite a lot on these lads shoulders. But I welcome them anyway. And yes, please others shut up about his hair.

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Cheshire_Blue added 12:21 - Feb 3 Taking the piss instead of supporting seems to be the norm nowadays.
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IpswichT62OldBoy added 13:30 - Feb 3 However great he is any improvement is going to depend on PL's team selection and tactics. We all seem to be agreed that these are not his strong suits, maybe he will play him in goal.
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leonardgroat added 13:42 - Feb 3 People on here questioning his haircut / gender — get real, you should be ashamed of yourselves. You think you're funny but you're an embarrassment. Good luck Luke.
4

LonE17Blue added 13:56 - Feb 3 Good Luck Luke, hope all goes well for you- But beware of our timid supporters,- you'll need to know how to walk on egg shells, no banter or light highted fun allowed!
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