IPSWICH TOWN: Jimmy Bullard today expressed a desire to stay at Portman Road beyond his current loan deal that ends in the summer.

The 32-year-old midfielder notched two sublime goals as the Blues beat Cardiff City 2-0 on Saturday to make a statement about their ability to seriously mix it with the big boys in 2011/12.

And it will be music to the ears of Town fans to hear Hull player Bullard say: “I hope I can stay – I really do.

“The two clubs do speak to each other and hopefully they can get something going.

“As I’ve said before money is not my main prerogative.

“I love it here and if there’s a chance to stay I would love it.

“I also like it at Hull and will enjoy whoever I play for next season, but it’s really nice when a club wants you.

“Really wants you, and as soon as I arrived at Ipswich I knew this was a fantastic club.

“It is difficult for me though and having two years left on my Hull contract is always in the back of my mind and I have some good friends there and enjoy being there.

“Without a shadow of doubt I can see Ipswich doing well next season.

“But we have 12 games to go this season first and let’s finish on a high – crack on and see where that takes us.”

Bullard will be fit to face Reading at Portman Road tomorrow night although Mark Kennedy is a major doubt after limping off during the first half of Saturday’s televisied game against his former club Cardiff.

Darren O’Dea will be favourite to play at left back in Kennedy’s absence and if Connor Wickham recovers from a kick on the ankle the rest of the team is likely to remain unchanged.

Reading struck five goals against Middlesbrough on Saturday and will be seeking a double having beaten Town thanks to a late goal earlier in the season.

Former Town player Andy Legg had a busy Saturday scoring a winning Welsh Cup quarter-final goal for the club where he is now player manager Llanelli and then rushing to summarise for BBC Radio Suffolk’s broadcast of the Ipswich game!