The man who launched David McGoldrick’s Championship career has backed the striker to be key in Ipswich Town’s battle for survival.

East Anglian Daily Times: Geirge BurleyGeirge Burley (Image: Archant)

Former Blues boss George Burley gave McGoldrick, aged 18 at the time, his first start in the second-tier, during his time managing Southampton.

Nottingham-born McGoldrick was part of the Saints academy team that lost to Ipswich in the 2005 FA Youth Cup final and Burley believes the 25-year-old has the firepower to address Town’s goalscoring worries – Ipswich having scored just twice in their previous seven league games.

“We had a very good crop of youngsters at Southampton – the likes of Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale, Kenwyne Jones, Adam Lallana and Dexter Blackstock, but I always knew David had all the talent in the world,” said Burley.

“David is not going to out-pace everyone like Theo (Walcott) or Gareth (Bale) but he is a clever player, especially with the ball at his feet and can make things happen. You just need the right balance around him.

“He is still a young lad and showed at Coventry earlier this season that he has an eye for a goal.

“He looked fit and sharp against Middlesbrough and I think he can be a key player between now and the end of the season.”

Meanwhile, Burley has praised the impact of current Blues boss Mick McCarthy who has taken exactly half the points on offer in his 24 games in charge at Portman Road, giving the Blues a fighting chance of survival.

“Ipswich were shipping too many goals when Mick arrived and he has tightened things up no end,” said the former Scotland manager.

“Because of that, Ipswich have been able to pick up vital points away from home and stay away from the bottom three.

“I am sure they will be fine.”