Former Ipswich Town striker Daryl Murphy says he is keen to test himself at the highest level possible, after finally beginning to establish himself at Newcastle United.

Murphy, who scored 67 goals in 226 games for the Blues, before his August move to St James’ Park, had to be patient for his chance on Tyneside, due to the form of Dwight Gayle, Ayoze Perez and Aleksandar Mitrovic.

He didn’t make his league debut until January 2 but has scored in his last three games, in league and cup, and netted for the first time on home soil on Saturday, in the 4-0 victory over Rotherham.

Speaking to the Newcastle Chronicle, Murphy said: “I scored two goals the previous week (at Brentford and Birmingham City) but I said to my wife and kids there would be nothing better than to score at home in front of 52,000 fans and that was definitely the case, it was absolutely brilliant.

”I want to be pushing to win stuff and play in front of 52,000 people. I just want to test myself really before I finish. I don’t think there’s a better club to come to do that.”

Murphy is relishing being at a club challenging for the top spots in the Championship, and insists he thrives off the service provided by such players as Matt Ritchie and Jonjo Shelvey.

“It’s a different kind of challenge,” he said. “Everyone wants to be beat us. We’re top of the league and that’s just the way it is.

“It gives them more motivation and it’s hard for us but we know if we play the way we can, we can beat any team on the day.

“The goal was good timing really, just before half-time. For them to concede just before half-time makes it a different team-talk for their manager. I think the first goal is always important here and in the second half we just kicked on.

“As soon as we were in front we knew we had to push on and get some more goals. In the second half we did. We created a lot of chances and thankfully we took some of them.

“In the end it was quite comfortable.

“The service I get is brilliant. You just have to be in and around the box and on the move because when the delivery comes in, the ball can go anywhere. I try to place myself in the best position scoring-wise and thankfully the ball dropped to me and I scored.”