POLL: Who is Ipswich Town’s number one?

Scott Loach (Image: Archant)

The boyhood Blue made his first start for Town since August and won the Man-of-the-Match award after pulling off three fine saves to deny the Tangerines’ Faris Haroun.

Loach has been kept out of the team by Gerken for the majority of the season, and while frustrated, emphasised his intention to remain patient.

“I was pleased with my performance and I made a few saves. I was happy to get my chance and give the manager a headache,” said Loach.

“I am at a great club and you never know, this could be my chance now. If it isn’t you never know who’s watching and who might need a goalkeeper on loan. The main thing is I have approached the game right.”

Loach was dropped after just four games this season and has only featured three times since, as a substitute for Gerken in the home defeat to Burnley, and as a starter in the FA Cup games against Preston.

“It’s not my decision to say whether I should keep my place,” added Loach.

“Yes, I can say I have done well and should stay in, but I can also say no I shouldn’t as Gerks has done well consistently.

“I am ready to play and if not, it will be a conversation where we have to sit down and see where we go from here, but I won’t spit my dummy out.

“I don’t want to be a number two goalkeeper. I’m not being big-headed but I played for England under-21s, played 130 games in a row for Watford, so that doesn’t make you a bad keeper, regardless of peoples’ opinions.”

Meanwhile, McCarthy has early fitness doubts ahead of next Saturday’s game at league leaders Leicester over David McGoldrick (knee) and Luke Hyam (hamstring) after the duo picked up injuries in Saturday’s draw.

Striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake will play for the under-21s against Charlton, at Portman Road, tonight.