NOW that he has a chance to prove he can handle the big time, Darren Currie has no intention of letting it go.The 30-year-old will line up for Ipswich against former club West Ham at Portman Road tomorrow (kick-off 1pm) looking to help the Blues gain three more points in their quest for a Premiership place.

NOW that he has a chance to prove he can handle the big time, Darren Currie has no intention of letting it go.

The 30-year-old will line up for Ipswich against former club West Ham at Portman Road tomorrow (kick-off 1pm) looking to help the Blues gain three more points in their quest for a Premiership place.

At the start of the month Currie was focused on keeping Brighton and Hove Albion in the Coca-Cola Championship.

Now his world has changed completely and he is set to play a vital role as table-topping Town look to make it seven successive home wins.

“When I moved from West Ham to Shrewsbury I was confident I would soon bounce back to a top flight club,” said Currie. “It has taken me just over ten years.

“I always had belief but I began to wonder whether I would ever sample life in the Premiership. Now I have my chance and don't intend to let it go.”

Currie never played a first team match for the Hammers, but he has great respect for the east London club that provides Ipswich with as near a derby match as they will find in the league this season.

“Playing for West Ham at youth and reserve levels was a terrific way to start a career,” said Currie, who has been involved in the last four Ipswich matches after his £250,000 transfer from Brighton.

“They gave me everything but my debut. I went on loan to Shrewsbury for two seasons and then briefly to Leyton Orient.

“In 1996 Shrewsbury put in a £70,000 bid and the difference in money was only about £50. The then West Ham manager Harry Redknapp called me in and said that I was an adult and had to think about continuing to play regular first team football.

“Since then I have played for teams in the lower divisions, until Brighton gave me a chance last summer. I never lost my belief and still have the same appetite for the game I had as a schoolboy

“I don't know how I would fare in the Premiership, but I want to give it a go and hopefully will soon get a chance to see. I always thought my opportunity would come - and I am determined to make the most of it now.”

Currie has become an instant hit with Town fans and has been man of the match in two of the four games he has played.

“I tend to build up a rapport with supporters where I go,” he said. “I am my own biggest critic and I know when I have done well, and I am very satisfied with my contribution so far.”

He added: “To wake up on Christmas Day morning and New Year's Day top of the table is fantastic. West Ham have plenty of good players and they well be feeling as though they are under-achieving, but we will start favourites tomorrow.”

Currie's uncle Tony, a former England international, takes a keen interest in his nephew's career. “He lives in Sheffield and has not been to an Ipswich game yet, but he has watched two on television,” said Currie.