Danny hoping to keep place in Town team

By Elvin King

DANNY Haynes starred in his first start of the season in Ipswich Town's 3-1 Coca-Cola Championship win over Leicester City.

The 19-year-old is looking forward to keeping his place against Scunthorpe on Saturday and helping Ipswich win their next two home games and be in the top four by Christmas.

Praised by Leicester boss Ian Holloway as one of the best young English players around, Haynes feels he is now better equipped mentally to play 90 minutes.

“Physically I am stronger, but I have also made myself tougher mentally,” said Haynes.

“I have made a point of having my say, and letting the manager and coaches know what I think.

“It helps to get things off your chest and stand up and be counted. You have to listen and learn, but not be afraid to be tough at times.”

Named substitute in all but four Town games this season - three when he was suspended and once when injured - Haynes was overjoyed to be told he was starting a game that turned on a controversial 38th minute penalty and sending off of Patrick Kisnorbo.

He laid on the first goal for Pablo Counago and generally had too much pace for the visiting defence.

“The manager said I was playing as soon as I got into the dressing room,” added Haynes. “It was a great feeling and I had to get into the swing of things and how to react to starting games.

“I have been doing extra work on defending and this may have helped my selection. I was trying to give David Wright as much cover as possible.”

It was Haynes' ball that led to Pablo Counago being fouled by Kisnorbo for the penalty.

“It was a definite penalty,” said Haynes. “You could not argue with the decision.”

And talking about Town's first goal, Haynes said: “It was a great ball from Gavin Williams and I looked up and saw Pablo in the middle and knew I had to drive the ball into him.

“He finished it beautifully.”