IPSWICH TOWN: Jack Colback says that now is the time for him to take more responsibility.

The 21-year-old Sunderland loanee is expected to be a member of midfield when the Blues look to get their season back on track at the KC Stadium against Hull City today (kick-off 3pm).

Town are again expected to field the youngest side in the Championship in the absence of experienced injured players like Gareth McAuley, Mark Kennedy, David Norris, Alan Quinn and Colin Healy.

“I want to get away from my young boy image,” said Colback.

“I’m 21 now and a man.

“Compared to someone like Connor Wickham I’m an experienced player with a number of years in the game behind me.

“I am looking for a bigger team role, and now is the time.

“It is right that I should take on more responsibility.”

After being voted Ipswich player of the year, Colback went back to the Stadium of Light but failed to play a Premier League game this season before returning to Portman Road on loan until January.

“Of course I always looked for the Ipswich result earlier in the season, and they were flying,” added Colback.

“So it’s been disappointing that results have not gone the way we would have liked in the last week or so.

“But as far as this time last year is concerned it’s night and day. We were second bottom and now we are one win off fourth place and two wins from Wembley in the Carling Cup.

“There’s no need to press the panic button and we have three games coming up put a smile back on everybody’s faces.”

Next Sunday Town travel to Norfolk to play Norwich City at Carrow Road, and on Wednesday week they entertain top flight West Brom with a place in the semi-final of the Carling Cup at stake.

“I’ve no experience of East Anglian derby games as Norwich were in League One last season,” added Colback.

“But I know what it means in the north east when Newcastle and Sunderland meet – so I have a good idea.

“We have great matches coming up and we’re all looking forward to them.

“Three good games and our season is back on again.”

Like the rest of the squad Colback was unhappy with the actions of some Town fans during the 3-1 home defeat by Barnsley last Saturday when the home players were booed and the away players cheered.

“When you are 3-0 down at home you expect criticism,” said Colback. “But it was disappointing when a minority cheered Barnsley when they passed the ball to each other.

“It deflated us, but in football you have to expect criticism when you’re not doing very well.

“Fans can keep you going when you are struggling and although it’s been a tough week football is full of ups and downs and we have to move on.”

Colback was happy to see his Sunderland team mate Jordan Henderson in the England team for the friendly against France at Wembley on Wednesday. “Jordan did well and it can only inspire someone like me.”