Former Ipswich Town striker Ian Marshall has backed Blues’ hitman Daryl Murphy to end his barren run in front of goal, ahead of Saturday’s Championship clash at Blackburn.

Murphy plundered 27 goals for Town last season, but has yet to get off the mark for seventh-placed Town this term, following an injury-hit summer.

Murphy, 32, has also had to watch Freddie Sears, David McGoldrick and Brett Pitman score ten goals between them in league and cup this season, but Marshall believes it’s only a matter of time before the ex-Celtic man discovers his shooting boots again.

Marshall, who hit 38 goals in 96 games for Ipswich, said: “The more you don’t score, the more frustrating it becomes.

“But the good thing about Daryl is he is getting in the right positions and getting chances. The time to worry as a striker is when you are not getting a sniff of goal, so I think it will come.

“Unfortunately, strikers are judged on how many goals they score, but he is a decent player who had a really good season last time out.

“He had the speculation about him in the summer which has seen his profile catapulted to a different level, so he will be desperate to score.”

Murphy may have to settle for a place on the bench at Ewood Park this Saturday, depending on the combination McCarthy goes with in Lancashire.

But Marshall added: “I understand the big clubs in Europe rotating their squads but for me, you should be putting your best team out each week if you are trying to get out of the Championship, and play whoever is in form.

“I have always admired the big man/small man combination and I like (Freddie) Sears’ energy, but I also like (David) McGoldrick’s trickery and Ipswich have got all-sorts of combinations.”

A taster session for prospective students wishing to join Marshall’s Ipswich-based football academy is being held at Greshams Sports & Social Club on Friday, October 30 (10am). To book your place, call 01473 215893.