DEAN Bowditch fired a warning to his new team-mates that he is not prepared to play second fiddle and is out to earn a regular first-team starting place.

By Derek Davis

DEAN Bowditch fired a warning to his new team-mates that he is not prepared to play second fiddle and is out to earn a regular first-team starting place.

The popular Blues striker scored twice in Town's 3-0 win at Cambridge United last night and is determined to show he is worthy of a place in the Blues attack, although new signings Sam Parkin and Nicky Forster are ahead of him at the moment.

Bowditch said: “This is a massive season for me. Three strikers (Darren Bent, Pablo Counago and Shefki Kuqi) went out in the summer and I was disappointed to see them go but that has given me a chance now, even with Nicky and Sam coming in.

“To score a couple of goals in the first game back is amazing for me and it means so much to get scoring again.

“I knew when the two new strikers were brought in that they would play the first couple of games because the manager needs to try them out and see how they do. They were great against Cambridge but it is my job now to try and push myself into the first team set-up and get a starting place in every game.”

The England Under-19 international is no longer prepared to use youth as an excuse, and after a loan spell at Burnley and a summer weights programme, he feels ready to push on.

He said: “I'm getting stronger and I'm getting older so I know it is a big year for me and I need to work hard.

“Going out on loan again, or asking for a transfer is not an option. I'm Ipswich through and through and I'm going to work to achieve here.”

Bowditch also paid tribute to second-half strike partner Dean McDonald, who played a part in both of his goals after Forster had given Town a first-half lead.

He said: “Dean is a tricky player, he is a real handful with his tricks and twists and turns. Like me he has a lot to learn and hopefully we can work well together and push into the first team together.”