LUKE Chambers has given Blues fans the perfect festive tonic by declaring that supporters have not yet seen the best of him – or Tommy Smith.

The pair have played every minute of the last four matches which has seen Ipswich accrue three wins and move away from the relegation zone.

But both have had their sticky moments in the Blues’ sluggish start to the campaign and summer signing Chambers insists the best is still to come from him,

But he doesn’t stop there after declaring that his young defensive partner can achieve anything in the game.

Chambers said: “Tommy sat on the sidelines and that has brought him back as a better player.

“He is a young lad, but for me, he has a great future in the game and if he continues to play the way he is, I don’t think there is any limit to where he can go.

“His international commitments and captaining his country (New Zealand) is a massive thing for a player of Tommy’s calibre and he will never shy away from responsibility or leadership.”

The pair started the season for Town, but just two wins from nine league and cup games saw previous boss Paul Jewell bring in Danny Higginbotham on loan.

The experienced Stoke City defender is set to return to the Potters on December 31 and manager Mick McCarthy must decide whether to offer him a new deal – or look elsewhere for reinforcements.

Wolves defender Ronald Zubar, 27, has been told he can leave Molineux for first-team football and McCarthy will certainly look to his former club for bargains.

While Higginbotham’s departure would leave Chambers and Smith as the only two recognised centre-backs, the former Nottingham Forest man is confident his performances will improve in the second half of the season.

“I think there is still more to come from me,” he said. “It is always difficult when you come to a new club and you haven’t started the way you would have liked.

“But all I can do is concentrate on my performances and help the team pick up results.”