Cameron Humphreys is not looking to leave Ipswich Town on loan unless the club decide it’s the best way for him to progress.
The versatile youngster has had limited opportunities so far this season, often being left as an unused substitute or kept out of the squad entirely due to the availability of more experienced options.
He’s played just two Championship games for the Blues, coming off the bench in the latter stages of their 2-2 draw at Birmingham City and starting in their goalless draw at home to QPR.
Kieran McKenna has regularly discussed the possibility of allowing him to leave on loan for regular minutes, but not unless the right club can come in with a suitable offer.
As a result, Humphreys is happy to stay in Suffolk for the foreseeable future, allowing him to train and contribute to a strong squad that are challenging for promotion to the Premier League.
“I think my plan was just to keep improving,” he explained. “I said last season that, from the start to the finish of the season, I wanted to be a better version of myself on and off the pitch.
“That continues this year – the main focus is on improving me, becoming a better player and learning how to deal with myself off the pitch as well.
“I don’t think that anything has been confirmed or set in stone, so at the minute I’m fully focused on training here and playing when I get the opportunity.
“We’ll have to see if anything comes up, but at the minute, I’m really happy training here. When I get the opportunity, I’ll try to show what I can do on the pitch.”
Of course, discussions have been had with McKenna, who’s kept a watchful eye over Humphreys as one of the club’s brightest young talents.
“We have frequent chats,” the 20-year-old revealed. “It’s been the same in every window where there’s been external messages and thoughts, ‘is he going to go, is he going to stay?’.
“The chats between me and the boss have always been very consistent. We’ve always had a very clear plan, and at the minute, that plan is to develop myself, train and play to the best of my ability.”
If he does stay, he might have to adapt to playing outside of his natural midfield role. Humphreys has regularly been used as a left-back, coming in for the injured Leif Davis in the stalemate against QPR at the end of December.
He performed admirably, helping his side pick up a valuable point in a difficult game where Town were without numerous regular starters. He offered a threat from wide while also defending bravely against Chris Willock and Paul Smyth, who got little change from the academy graduate.
“It was another really proud moment for me, my first Championship start at Portman Road,” Humphreys admitted.
“It was a bit disappointing in terms of not getting the result we quite wanted, but it was a really good way to end the year personally.
“I try to play a variety of positions. I’ve played a bit further forward as well as in central midfield, and at left-back.
“The more positions I can play, the better. It helps my understanding of the game and I’m looking to improve in all areas.
“It’s not something that’s completely new to me. At younger age groups I’ve played at left-back. When I got the opportunity to play up an age group, it’d usually be at left-back.
“I’m continually trying to develop my skillset. It’s slightly different to playing in central midfield, but I feel the more I play there, the more I can learn off players here.
“We’ve got a really good left back here in Leif Davis, who’s started the season really well, so it’s just about trying to learn off him and develop myself.”
Saturday’s FA Cup tie against AFC Wimbledon could present him with more senior minutes, whether that comes in midfield, at left-back or from the bench.
Humphreys is keen to play a part in the clash at Plough Lane, highlighting how the competition is still an exciting prospect for any professional footballer.
“I’d love to be involved this weekend,” he said. “It’s really good to play in any game, but especially an FA Cup game, and one we’re going to have to be well prepared for.
“After a busy Christmas period, it’s nice to have a few days on the training pitch and then attack the FA Cup.”
Regardless of what happens, Humphreys is making sure that he listens to the senior heads around him.
His main aim is to continue his impressive trajectory that has seen him play a part in League One and the Championship, and he’s confident that there’s a lot more to come from him as and when he gets given the chance to show it.
“I have full faith and trust in all the staff here,” he stated. “It’s not just the manager that I speak to, it’s a lot of different coaching staff and staff in different areas to make sure I get the balance right.
“If I’m maybe not playing enough games, I can do other things in certain areas to develop myself.
“At the minute, I’m really enjoying playing here and I’m looking to develop as much as I can.”
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