Goalkeeper Dean Gerken would consider getting an Ipswich Town tattoo should the Blues defy the odds and achieve promotion this season.

The 28-year-old Essex boy said in a recent programme interview that he’d be ‘gutted the day I run out of skin to ink!’

When asked whether he was considered adding an Ipswich Town one to his growing collection, he joked: “Give me until the end of the season and then I’ll answer that. If we got promoted I’d probably get Ipswich Town printed on my head!”

Having battled relegation for most of last season, few predicted much more than a mid-table finish this time around following Mick McCarthy’s limited spend in the summer.

Thirty points from the opening 20 games represents the Blues best start to a Championship campaign since 2004/05 though, with McCarthy’s men just three points off the play-off places heading into tomorrow’s home game against Watford.

“We’ve always known what we’re about and what we can do,” said Gerken, who helped both Colchester and Bristol City to 10th-place finishes in 2006/07 and 2008/09 respectively

“The day I stepped in the door here I felt that this team wanted and expected to do something, there was a real energy and belief about the place.

“People never really talked about us that way in pre-season, but I think a few are starting to sit up and take notice of us.”

Having played just 17 games in three seasons at Bristol City, Gerken arrived on a Bosman-free transfer in the summer determined to force his way into the first-team.

That opportunity arrived just four league games into the campaign and he has not looked back since, a penalty save against Huddersfield and man-of-the-match display at Nottingham Forest winning over many fans in recent weeks.

He said: “I had three horrible years at Bristol. I loved the club, loved the fans, but playing wise it was terrible for me. I’m paid to play football but I wasn’t able to show people what I can do.

“I knew coming here that this club would give me the platform to do something again. There’s still a lot more to come from me, I still feel as though I’ve got 10 per cent more to give to the team.

“I’m getting into the groove again and I feel like the last month, six weeks it’s starting to come together for me again.”

He added: “Malcolm Webster (keeper coach) is someone I’ve got so much respect for and I know Scott Loach will keep me on my toes because everyone knows what he’s done and how good he is.”