TYRONE Barnett has dismissed claims that he is a “trouble-maker” after he left Peterborough under a disciplinary cloud.

The 27-year-old striker joined Ipswich on loan just a week after he was one of four players placed on the transfer-list at London Road for breaching club rules following a night-out.

Barnett will be hoping to overcome any concern among Town fans – starting tonight when he is expected to lead the line alongside DJ Campbell fort he visit of Nottingham Forest to Portman Road (7.45pm ko).

“I would tell fans to take it with a pinch of salt,” said Barnett, who only got his break in the professional game at 24 years old.

“They should take me as I am and I will prove myself. There are always regrets as I didn’t want to leave the club in the way I did. I wanted to leave in good terms, but that’s life and you have to move on.

“It is behind me, I have come to a new club, I’m happy, and I just want to move on. Obviously the lads and the people that know me will know I’m not a trouble-maker. When you get to know me, you know I’m an alright guy.”

Barnett was in the stands at Portman Road on Saturday watching Town’s 1-1 draw with his parent club, and it is clear he is looking to earn a full-time contract with Ipswich over the coming weeks.

Having had a succession of jobs “to pay the bills” while scoring a hatful of goals on the non-league scene with Rushall Olympic, Telford, Willenhall Town and Hednesford Town, Barnett finally got his big break at League Two Macclesfield Town two-and-a-half years ago.

After his slow rise up the leagues, he said: “If you had told me three years ago, when I had a full-time job, that I would be playing in the Championship, I would have laughed at you.

”I never gave up (dreaming of being a professional footballer) but obviously other people had doubts as I was getting older. I always had faith in my ability, that’s why I think I have come so far.

“I had many jobs – I worked in Halifax, I was a postman, in security, anything to pay the bills. It has made me never want to go back to that – it has given me a hunger to strive to push on and make the most of it.

“I understand people who have a 9-5 job and some days you don’t want to get out of bed. They are looking to get something for their money. I will never take this for granted.”