JAY McEveley answered an SOS call from the Blues to step into an injury-battered Town defence and then revealed he would love to come back to stay.The on-loan Blackburn defender had returned to his Liverpool home after being told he would not be signed for next season and was not needed for the two Easter games.

By Derek Davis

JAY McEveley answered an SOS call from the Blues to step into an injury-battered Town defence and then revealed he would love to come back to stay.

The on-loan Blackburn defender had returned to his Liverpool home after being told he would not be signed for next season and was not needed for the two Easter games.

But following the 2-1 loss by Brighton on Saturday which left Chris Casement ruled out with a swollen ankle, and Richard Naylor uncertain after being concussed, manager Joe Royle called the fellow Scouser back.

McEveley said: “I was watching the scores come in with my dad and saw that Ipswich had lost. Not long after I got a call asking me to meet up with the lads so I dashed back.

“It may not have been the best preparations but I took it in my stride.

“It was a case of getting a second wind early on which I did and I felt I did fine after that.”

McEveley played well for Town, keeping Chris Eagles quiet and helping the Blues in attack.

The 20-year-old has enjoyed his two spells at Portman Road despite a serious ankle injury intervening, and hopes that a return could still happen.

McEveley still has a year on his contract with Premiership club Blackburn Rovers, and the wages that entails.

He said: “The manager has explained to me that the club don't have the money to be able to take me on a full-time basis as I still have a year on my Rovers contract.

“I will see what happens in the summer, but I would love to come back, so you never know.

“Perhaps another loan deal can be sorted out, but there is a long way to go before that can be sorted out.”

Nicky Forster pulled a goal back after Darius Henderson had put Watford ahead but the Hornets' striker scored a controversial winner 12 minutes from time when Ashley Young looked to be offside.

With two goals in three days since his return from a four-month injury lay off, Forster has now taken his goal tally to five for the season and has a chance of finishing the club's top scorer, with two of his rivals, Alan Lee and Sam Parkin, ruled out for the rest of the season.

Jimmy Juan also has five goals and both have two games left of the season to claim the dubious honour.

Lee pulled up with a hamstring injury three minutes from time after a surge into the area and will not take part in Town's remaining two games.

The Hornets then rehearsed a penalty shoot-out in front of more than 10,000 home supporters, who were invited to boo as well as cheer their own players.

Manager Aidy Boothroyd explained: “We used the game against Wolves and Ipswich, and we will the remaining matches, to prepare for the play-offs. Win or lose I had always in tended to use this game to practice a penalty shoot out.”