NATHAN Ellington has fired a warning to Blues striking duo Michael Chopra and Jason Scotland – I am after your shirt!
The revitalised Duke has targeted a first team spot after finally showing the form that once made him the Championship’s deadliest marksman.
Ellington came on in the 3-1 win over Brighton and impressed everyone inside Portman Road with his half an hour cameo before looking sharp in a friendly against Watford on Tuesday afternoon.
Now he is looking to continue his good form and keep the pressure on Chopra and Scotland to give Blues boss Paul Jewell a nice selection headache upfront.
Ellington said: “It has been a bit frustrating not being involved as much as I would have liked to. But in the last three or four weeks I have felt really sharp and I am really happy with my game.
“I think I can offer a lot to the squad now. I have the right sharpness, the right fitness and I am right in the head now. Everything is in place and I am just hoping I get my chance to be involved a bit more.”
Ellington top scored in the Championship in 2004/05, netting 24 times, but has since endured a stop-start career despite some big money moves to West Brom and Watford.
And after signing on a free transfer for his old boss Jewell, Ellington was unable to win over Town fans during pre-season and the early part of this campaign.
But the 30-year-old has vowed to show Ipswich what he is made of and help the club continue their impressive form prior to the international break.
He said: “I feel really sharp at the moment and I am just itching to play. I’m enjoying every day in training, I feel I’m doing well and it is a fun place to be involved in. We are playing with two strikers at the moment and maybe two on the bench so there is much more chance I am going to be involved in the side.
“Paul Jewell just told me to keep working hard. He said I am doing well and that I should be disappointed when I am not involved. My chance will come.”
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