IPSWICH Town captain Gareth McAuley would love to see his defensive team mate Ivan Campo become a long-term fixture at Portman Road.

Elvin King

IPSWICH Town captain Gareth McAuley would love to see his defensive team mate Ivan Campo become a long-term fixture at Portman Road.

The 35-year-old Spaniard's contract is likely to run out in the summer, but McAuley feels the experienced campaigner could still have a part to play.

Currently away with the Northern Ireland squad for their World Cup qualifiers over the next eight days, McAuley confirmed that the former Bolton and Real Madrid player had a made impact since joining Town on a free transfer last summer.

“He is a top professional and a nice man,” said McAuley.

“And he's a class act who even when not playing has helped with our defensive organisation.

“Ivan has a wealth of experience that could be vital having played at the top level and internationally as well.

“He loves to see the game played the right way, in the right fashion, and from my point of view I can see him going into coaching.

“He's a character and there are not too many around like him and it would be nice to see him go into the coaching side of the game.”

Town chief executive Derek Bowden has confirmed that Campo's future could depend on how many games he plays this term.

“There's a one-way option based on the number of starts Ivan makes,” said Bowden. “If he makes a certain number, he'll have a second year.

“If he doesn't, then we could still offer him another year anyway.”

Campo made 141 Premier League appearances for Bolton in the Premier League, and has made a good living from the game.

Contrary to popular belief among Town fans, Campo could have signed a much more lucrative contract in Qatar, but joined Town because he wanted to continue to play at a competitive level.

Whether he decides to stay in the game after he hangs up his boots remains to be seen, but from McAuley's educated eye it would be football's loss if he was to look elsewhere.

- WOULD you like to see Ivan Campo stay with Ipswich Town? Let us know. Write to Sports Desk, Evening Star, 30, Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail starsport@eveningstar.co.uk.