LEE Martin has revealed how he needed to get away from Portman Road to save his Ipswich Town career.

The speedy wide player, who will be 24 tomorrow, has played a leading role as the Blues have moved out of relegation danger with three consecutive Championship victories.

Signed on a four-year contract from mighty Manchester United in the summer of 2009 by former Town manager Roy Keane, Martin had made just 10 starts before being recalled from a season-long loan at League One Charlton by new Ipswich manager Paul Jewell.

“I didn’t get many chances under the previous manager, but things can change very quickly in football,” said Martin, who is set to keep his place for Saturday’s visit to Barnsley.

“When Roy left I thought I might get a chance to come back. And it’s good to be back.”

Martin, who felt that Sheffield United defender Rob Kozluk was unlucky to be sent off when the two tangled late in Saturday’s game, explained why he needed to get away from Ipswich.

“I played month after month in the reserves last season and that knocks you,” he said.

“I needed to get away when I did.

“If I had stayed another six months, it would have only knocked me further back.

“I was basically transfer listed in the summer and while the previous manager was in charge there was a real possibility I’d be on my way.

“It wasn’t nice to be told you can leave just a year after arriving.

“He made up his mind I wasn’t in his plans and nothing was going to change that.

“Now I’ve got another opportunity here and it’s up to me to show the new manager what I can do.”

It’s a rather quiet Portman Road this week with 10 players away on international duty with Gareth McAuley (Northern Ireland), Darren O’Dea (Republic of Ireland), Connor Wickham (England Under-19), Marton Fulop and Tamas Priskin (Hungary) Jaime Peters (Canada) and Troy Brown (Wales Under-21) the senior players involved.