Ipswich Town centre-back Adam Webster says his feet remain firmly on the floor following manager Mick McCarthy’s repeated insistence that he is a Premier League player in the making.

The 21-year-old, signed from League Two side Portsmouth for a fee of £700,000 this summer, has taken the step up to the Championship in his stride and produced an outstanding performance in Saturday’s goalless draw at Blackburn.

Not only is he strong, quick and perceptive when defending, but the youngster is supremely comfortable on the ball – whether that is when taking an assured touch in a dangerous area, spraying a long pass or dribbling up the field.

“You can’t get too high in football and you can’t get too low,” he said, speaking ahead of tonight’s visit of Burton Albion to Portman Road (7.45pm).

“It changes week-in, week-out. You can be on top of the world one minute, then rock-bottom the next. I’m just taking it in my stride and hopefully I can keep putting in some good performances.”

On his attacking game, very much in the mould of a young John Stones at Barnsley, Webster said: “A couple of times on Saturday it opened up for me and my eyes light up when that happens.

“The gaffer definitely encourages me to do it (dribble out from defence). He says to me, ‘you can do it, of course you can do it, but you’ve just got to pick the right time’. Sometimes you might have to boot it, sometimes you can break out and bring others into play.”

McCarthy said: “I hope he continues to blossom because he has fabulous potential, he really has.

“I saw him play against us (in the FA Cup) and I said to Marcus (Evans) ‘sign him’. That is probably the first time I’ve really hung my hat on one and said ‘if he’s in our budget, just sign him’. He backed me on that one.

“He was an absolute no-brainer. I’m still surprised we managed to get him. I’m delighted we did.”

– See today’s EADT and Ipswich Star for full match preview. Follow @Stuart_Watson on Twitter for live match updates.