IPSWICH Town’s new striker Rory Fallon is a born-again Christian – but it will not stop him from playing in tomorrow’s Championship derby against Norwich City at Carrow Road (kick-off 1.15pm).

The 28-year-old New Zealand international, who is on a two-month loan from Plymouth, will be looking round for a church in the town to attend on Sundays.

But his beliefs will not stop him facing the Canaries in a game that is being shown live on BBC TV.

“I am a born-again Christian but each to his own,” said Fallon.

“All-Black rugby union player Michael Jones did not play Sundays. That is his thing. Mine is to play and to glorify God when I’m playing.

“God is in heaven and there is a passage in the bible where Jesus says that if a farmer loses a goat down a hole he should go and pick it out.”

Along with fellow new loanee signing Gianni Zuiverloon, Fallon will join a host of players new to the cauldron atmosphere that is an East Anglian derby.

Only David Norris, Jaime Peters and the injured Gareth McAuley and Alan Quinn remain at Ipswich from the last time these two teams met while Norwich just have Simon Lappin, Chris Martin, Wes Hoolahan and the injured Adam Drury.

Fallon is delighted with his move and has been impressed by the facilities he has found, but is not committing himself any further than January 22 when his loan runs out.

“It would be brilliant to make my debut against Norwich and I’m really looking forward to the game and to the challenge ahead at Ipswich.

“Everything has happened so quickly this week and I have recently got over a hernia operation having played in Plymouth’s last two games. I had a cortisone injection on Wednesday and that has helped.

“I trained with my new team mates yesterday and I’m sure I can get goals with the help of the skilful players at this club.

“I’m fit and raring to go – and not just to move back to the Championship but also to a club with such a proud history and one that can really go places.”

Fallon will be meeting up with his Kiwi team mate Tommy Smith and former Plymouth colleague David Norris, and he revealed:

“Tommy rang me before Roy Keane did to tip me off. It was a massive surprise but I knew it wasn’t a prank as Tommy is not like that.

“A carrot is dangling before me, and now I must look to complete the opportunity presented to me.”