DEFENDER Dan Harding today confirmed the importance of the next three games to the Ipswich Town squad.“If we have not improved our position after facing QPR, Hull and Southend then we will have cause to worry,” said the 23-year-old, pictured right.

By Elvin King

DEFENDER Dan Harding today confirmed the importance of the next three games to the Ipswich Town squad.

“If we have not improved our position after facing QPR, Hull and Southend then we will have cause to worry,” said the 23-year-old, pictured right.

Town are at home to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, travel to Hull on Tuesday and then entertain Southend on Saturday week. All three clubs are currently below Ipswich near the foot of the Championship table.

“We need 50 points to be safe,” added Harding, who arrived at Portman Road as part of the deal that took Ian Westlake to Leeds United.

“Three wins and a couple of draws will do it, and the sooner they come the better.

“A little bit of doubt has crept in, but we are all confident we can not only get out of trouble but also end with a flourish to give a buzz for next season.

“We have a young team, and blips will occur.

“I came here to play regular football; it is what I wanted when I was out of the Leeds side last season.”

Harding, who was voted Ipswich player of the month for February, sees himself and other youngsters in the squad progressing through to play Premier League football under manager Jim Magilton for Ipswich.

CANADIAN international Jaime Peters knows he needs to play regular first team football to help him gain a work permit extension into next season.

His current permit runs out this summer, and the 19-year-old who has made 15 starts this campaign, says that he will be doing “everything possible” to regain his Ipswich Town place this Saturday against Queens Park Rangers.

“I guess the manager wanted to rest me at Southampton,” said Peters.

“These things happen and I understand that.

“My aim now is to do everything possible to get back into the team straightaway.

“I am working hard in training and doing everything possible to make sure I am ready and available for selection.”

Town central defender Chris Casement has been called into the Northern Ireland Under-20 squad for friendlies against Israel on March 12 and 14.