PAUL Jewell believes the speed in which his loan players have settled at the club is a prime factor in the Blues’ turnaround in fortune.

David Stockdale, Danny Collins and Keith Andrews have all made a big impact since signing with Ipswich with Daryl Murphy working his way back to fitness and right-back Reece Wabara the latest temporary recruit.

Although some fans fear there could be a reliance on loan deals, Jewell believes the five all have a big role to play this side of Christmas – and hinted that he would be looking to extend the deals beyond that.

The Town boss said: “Sometimes it takes a while to get to know team mates, they are living in a hotel away from family – all these things that people don’t see are a factor. But they have all settled and if they continue as they have for the last few games we’ll definitely want to keep them.”

While Stockdale’s performances were of a high standard even during Town’s difficult start to the season, the introduction of Danny Collins has been seen by many as a real turning point.

Jewell even joked that the Stoke City man had “settled quicker than snow” with the Blues losing just once in the big centre-back’s first five matches.

And Andrews’ all-action displays in midfield, not to mention four goals in his first five games, have caught the attentions of Premier League clubs, if reports are to be believed.

Ipswich can play as many as five loan players in any one match, but Murphy does not count in that total as he came from the Scottish Premier League and Celtic.

But while not shutting the door on the loan market, Jewell admitted: “I think you can sometimes have too many loan players. Sometimes you get loan players at clubs who turn up and, I wouldn’t say not care, but they know they are going back to their parent club.

“But all these lads we’ve brought in though have really grasped the nettle.”