IPSWICH new boy Gary Roberts is getting shirty with boss Jim Magilton.The on-loan winger from Accrington Stanley has already asked if he could change his squad number, Magilton revealed today.

By Mel Henderson

IPSWICH new boy Gary Roberts is getting shirty with boss Jim Magilton.

The on-loan winger from Accrington Stanley has already asked if he could change his squad number, Magilton revealed today.

Roberts laughed: “I think the number 33 makes me look fat and I've spoken to the gaffer about it.

“But to be honest everything is going so well for me at the moment that I would wear just about any number”.

Roberts looks like winning his fitness battle - he returned to training today after a groin strain - to face Barnsley at Oakwell tomorrow.

His Scouse humour is never far from the surface and the player, who hopes to make his move permanent in January, could hardly be happier right now.

He said: “The win over Norwich was the biggest game of my career by a mile. I don't usually get nervous but the butterflies were fluttering away.

“I was out warming up and seeing the ground fill up gave me a nice little edge going into the game.

“In the end I was enjoying myself so much that I didn't want the referee to blow the final whistle. They say time flies when you're having fun!”

But Roberts admits nothing can be taken for granted against second bottom Barnsley and added: “We've had a great win, they're struggling so all the stats point to us taking all three points.

“But they have just lost their manager and find four players on loan so they will fancy trying to turn us over”.

The one thing missing for Roberts at the moment is a goal but he feels he is on the verge of delivering.

He added: “I came here having scored seven goals in eight games, the best run of my career, and I can't wait to get my first one for Ipswich.

“At the moment it seems I can't hit a barn door. I had one disallowed against Burnley, missed a great chance against Preston and should have scored more than one against Sheffield Wednesday, so hopefully it's on the way.

“But my first job, my priority, is to set up chances for the others, although I don't mind admitting I would really love to get one for Ipswich”.

Town boss Magilton, meanwhile, will assess the goal-keeping situation before confirming his squad to travel to South Yorkshire.

His plans were thrown into disarray yesterday with the recall to Wigan of on-loan keeper Mike Pollitt and each of the other contenders has a problem to overcome.

Magilton said: “Shane (Supple) is still a little bit stiff around the groin, Lewis (Price) hasn't been able to do much and Jaro (Drobny) has been feeling his hamstring.

“But no matter who plays we'll be ready. The master plan is that we put on another great performance and our keeper doesn't have a save to make!”

N HOW do you think Gary Roberts has settled in to Portman Road? Do you want to see Town sign him permanently in Janaury?

Let us know, starsport@eveningstar.co.uk