Jordan Spence would like to be an Ipswich Town player next season.

The 26-year-old defender has regularly featured for Ipswich since signing a short-term deal in January.

Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy has already said that he would like to retain Spence’s services for next season, with the full-back also keen to stay in Suffolk.

“I’ve always said that I’d like to stay,” said Spence, who played the full 90 minutes in Sunday’s disappointing 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest.

“Hopefully things can be resolved (a deal can be made), and for as long as I’m wanted here, I would like to stay.

“When I came here, they (Ipswich) said it was a short-term contract, but from the very first day, they asked me if I wanted to stay.

“I’m happy with what has happened (this season) and we’ll see (what happens next season).

Spence came to Portman Road midway through the 2016/17 season, after failing to find a club when he was released from MK Dons this time last year.

And the full-back, who was initially rejected by Ipswich while on trial last summer, has loved his time at Town, despite the club finishing in their lowest league position (16th in England’s second tier) in nearly 60 years.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it, and I particularly enjoy it when we win football matches,” said Spence, who started his career at West Ham United, before moving to MK Dons.

“From a personal note, it was a slow start to a season that eventually got going and I’ve loved every minute of it (since then).

“I’m grateful for the opportunity and hopefully I can (continue to) repay the faith the manager and the fans have showed in me.

“When I first came here, my very first intentions were to make this team a better one – and hopefully I can (continue to) do that.”

Spence has also thanked Ipswich fans for the support they have given him and the team this season.

“They’ve really stuck with us and have given us great support,” said the defender.

“Because of the pitch invasion (at the end of the Forest defeat), it was disappointing not to be able to go over to them and thank them properly.

“I’ve been here since January and at no point have they turned on us away from home.

“They’ve supported us and we’re just disappointed that we didn’t give them more to cheer about.”