BRIAN Murphy admits that he would have considered a loan move in January, if he had continued to be overlooked by manager Roy Keane.

Ipswich Town keeper Murphy made only his second league appearance of the season last weekend, in the 1-0 defeat at Hull, and looks set to retain his place at Norwich City on Sunday.

The 27-year-old has played in all four of Town’s Carling Cup fixtures, but has had to play second fiddle to Marton Fulop for 16 of the first 18 league games.

“I did consider a loan move. I discussed that with my own people, and other different options if come maybe January I’m still not playing,” revealed Murphy.

“But no, I don’t really want to leave and say - “well that’s it, I’ve given up” - I don’t think that is the way I have ever worked.

“I suppose if you are left with no other option, then you have to look at it. But for the minute it has not crossed my mind.

“Maybe further down the road, if I still wasn’t playing, I might try and get some regular games, but hopefully that will be at Ipswich.

“If I am playing in January then there will be nothing to talk about,” added Murphy.

Despite his lack of opportunities, Murphy has resisted the temptation to hammer on the door of the manager’s office.

That’s not the Irishman’s style.

“I haven’t spoken to the manager about going out on loan, or about anything like why I’m not playing,” explained Murphy.

“It would be an obvious answer, what the manager would say. He would tell you that he wanted Marton (Fulop) to play, that’s basically what you are going to get.

“I felt I did well from when I came in last season, and was in good condition in pre-season.

“There was always going to be another goalkeeper brought in. You’re expecting someone to come in and you’ve been waiting all summer, and then two days before the season I thought I had a good chance of starting.

“However, it’s not worked out that way, but if I go in banging on the manager’s door after the first week, I think he’d be telling me where to go!

“I’m not a kid and I’m experienced enough to realise why things happen and why scenarios go certain ways.

“I’ve been in this situation before at different times and different clubs. It crossed my mind to knock on the manager’s door, but you have to deal with it,” added Murphy.

Murphy is looking forward to his first taste of an East Anglian derby at Carrow Road this Sunday.

He said: “Any derby is a good game. I’m not quite sure what the atmosphere is like between Norwich and Ipswich, but it’s a big game for the fans with pride at stake, and we need a win more than anything.”