ALAN Quinn hasn't scored a league goal for Ipswich Town this season, so the visit of his old club Sheffield Wednesday would be the ideal opportunity to break his duck.

Carl Marston

ALAN Quinn hasn't scored a league goal for Ipswich Town this season, so the visit of his old club Sheffield Wednesday would be the ideal opportunity to break his duck.

Quinn partnered Grant Leadbitter in central midfield during Town's last outing, a distant two weeks ago, in a 1-1 draw at Reading.

The 30-year-old Dubliner is hoping to retain his place this evening, but even if does chalk up his first goal of the campaign against the Owls, he won't be over-doing his celebration.

“I won't be running half the length of the pitch if I score,” insisted Quinn.

“I don't tend to celebrate when I score against one of my former clubs. The same would be the case if I left Ipswich and then ended up scoring against them.

“I wouldn't celebrate in front of the Sheffield Wednesday fans,” added Quinn.

Versatile midfielder Quinn first signed for the Owls before Christmas, 1997, having moved from Cherry Orchard in his native Ireland.

He went on to stay seven years at Hillsborough, rattling up 180 senior appearances and netting 17 goals. Ironically, when he finally moved, it was just down the road to deadly rivals Sheffield United in the summer of 2004.

“I was a young lad when I was at Sheffield Wednesday, but it's going to be a good game to play against them, if I'm picked,” continued Quinn.

“I had some good times there, even though it was not a great time for the club. Things have improved there now.

“I don't know what sort of reception I'll get from their fans, because I went on to play for rivals Sheffield United.

“I had a bit bother up them when I played for United, as I was still living in the Sheffield Wednesday area. But that was all a long time ago,” added Quinn.

After three-and-a-half years with the Blades, and 11 goals in 109 senior appearances, Quinn signed for Ipswich in a �400,000 deal at the start of 2008.

Having been so used to enduring some tough times at Wednesday, he is now having to cope with an even leaner spell at Town.

Quinn explained: “I've had experience of playing in a (struggling) team before, when I was at Sheffield Wednesday, but it wasn't this bad.

“We shouldn't be in this position, near the bottom of the table. And I don't know why we're there. We're all gutted to be down there.

“But I feel we're doing okay now. We've drawn a lot of games (nine in 16 league fixtures), but we've picked up a bit.

“We weren't great against Reading. I thought we were a bit lucky in that game, but they're got a good side.

“Grant (Leadbitter) was telling us about how he was once in mid-table with Sunderland in January, and they ended up getting promoted, so anything can happen.

“But we've got to start winning a few games first.”

Even though Quinn has spent much of this season on the flank, he is no doubt as to why he would prefer to operate.

“I don't consider myself to be a left winger. That's not my best position,” revealed Quinn.

“I prefer to play in the middle, where I can get more involved. I've had a couple of chances in this position this season, and I definitely prefer to play there. I think I'm playing okay.”