Daryl Murphy knows it’s time for Ipswich Town’s strikers to hit a hot streak as the Blues bid to force their way into the play-offs.

The club’s three front-line forwards – Murphy, Brett Pitman and Freddie Sears – had scored just four times between them since the turn of the year, prior to Murphy’s brace in the 2-0 win over Blackburn on Tuesday night.

Their lack of goals has ensured Ipswich have a goal difference of just plus-three, the second worst of the teams in the top 10, with Tuesday night’s win the first time the Blues have won by more than a single goal since the end of November.

Murphy knows Ipswich need to both score and create more during the final weeks of the season if they are to challenge for promotion, with the Irishman confident he and his fellow strikers can deliver.

“I think so and I think one of us will, hopefully a few of us will,” Murphy said, when asked if it was time for the Ipswich strikers to find a hot streak. There are goalscorers in the team and all the strikers we have know we can score, we just need to create a little bit more maybe.

“We do (need some creativity) but we’re happy with the result (on Tuesday night) and with the clean sheet too.

“It’s nice when the strikers are scoring goals because we want to outdo each other whenever we can, every striker does, so it’s good competition.”

One man who could bring both goals and creativity is David McGoldrick, who is stepping up his return from a hamstring tear with the under 21s on Monday night.

Murphy is looking forward to having him back.

“Didzy has trained this week and he’s looked sharp so hopefully he will be back soon,” he said.

“I think everyone knows what he brings to the team, he’s a class above. He’s creative, scores goals and always has time on the ball and can do things others can’t.”

Murphy also reserved praise for fellow forward Luke Varney, who created his second goal against Blackburn by winning the ball back and delivering a superb pass, having come off the bench in the second half.

He said: “Reg works so hard in training every day, he works so hard and is great around the place.

“Anytime he’s come on he’s been a handful for defenders because he’s not easy to play against.”