Ipswich Town nemesis David Nugent can’t wait to once more play the role of pantomime villain at Portman Road today.

The 28-year-old striker has scored 11 goals in 11 games against the Blues over the last nine years. His record on Suffolk soil is even more incredible, having netted on all six occasions he has played here – whether it be for Preston, Portsmouth, current employers Leicester or the England Under-21s.

Unsurprisingly the player has become a target of boos from the Town supporters in recent years, with the Merseysider revelling in the attention and often cupping his ears back during goal celebrations.

And having missed the Foxes’ 1-0 defeat at Portman Road back in March through injury, the front man has been looking forward to this afternoon’s match for some time.

“Every time I go there I seem to score,” he said. “I get booed and that gees me on. I seem to wind the crowd up a little bit and it gets my game going when the fans get on my back. The more they boo me, the better I play it seems.

“I enjoy that pantomime villain act and it seems to work for me. It is a compliment because they must think I am one of the best players in the side and the boos spur me on. I like to try and punish them.”

Nugent may have scored eight goals already this season, but six of those have come from the penalty spot. Indeed, his starting place is coming under pressure with Nigel Pearson’s talented squad just two points behind Championship leaders Burnley.

“You could say they are one of my favourite teams to play against,” continued Nugent. “I made my debut for Preston at home against them and scored and it has kicked-on from there.

“I have always scored at Ipswich and I scored there for the England Under-21s too. It is weird. It is one of those stadiums I like playing at. I seem to always put the ball in the back of the net there.

“If selected I’ll hopefully get the goals to get us another three points.”

– Follow @Stuart_Watson on twitter for live match updates. Log on later to cast your man-of-the-match vote.