BILLY Clarke is looking to be the goal hero for Ipswich Town against Colchester United tonight.The 19-year-old, who spent a loan spell at the U's in their promotion season, has yet to score in this campaign and is desperate to put that right against the U's.

By Derek Davis

BILLY Clarke is looking to be the goal hero for Ipswich Town against Colchester United tonight.

The 19-year-old, who spent a loan spell at the U's in their promotion season, has yet to score in this campaign and is desperate to put that right against the U's.

Clarke said: “I'm getting at least one chance per game and I know if I put one away soon then I will be off.

“Hopefully it will be against Colchester. I would love to score against them because I know some of the lads there from my time on loan.

“I have an affection for Colchester and am really pleased to see them doing so well last year and now this but I want to get off the mark.”

Clarke thought he had netted last season when he thought the ball had crossed the line before Garry Richards cleared at Portman Road and Karl Duguid went up the other end and scored for the U's. Town hit back to win that game 3-2 to avenge the Layer Road defeat the previous September when skipper Duguid hit the winner - with Town controversially disallowed a goal by Jon Macken.

Clarke made his Football League debut for the U's and helped them go up and the experience helped him step up another level.

Clarke said: “It was my first time away from Ipswich and it was a really good experience but I'm Ipswich again now. We need the win and I'm overdue a goal.”

Clarke struggled to get into the Town side earlier this season and was considering a loan move before manager Jim Magilton installed him on the left side of midfield.

Clarke said: “I couldn't be happier now. Everything is going well for me now I'm playing and the team is in a good position with a game in hand too - all I need to make it perfect is that goal.”

The Irish Under-21 international admitted feeling the pace after playing against Sweden and then in the 3-0 defeat by England during the last international break but refused to allow it to affect him.

He said: “With all the travelling and then playing on the Tuesday night it does take it out of you.

“But you can't use that as an excuse on the Saturday when you play for your club.

“I felt quite good at QPR and really I should have scored. Their lad has cleared off the line and I caught another with my heel and it went wide.”

Although Clarke is now fully focused on Ipswich once more he has international revenge at the back of his mind after former Town loanee Mark Noble netted twice in the European Championship qualifier last week.

He warned: “We have to play England again in February so hopefully we can give them a better game then.”