A NOD and a wink from Alex Bruce and Danny Simpson had no hesitation in coming to Ipswich bidding for his second promotion season in a row.The full back, who joined on loan for the rest of the season, was straight on the blower to Bruce after Sir Alex Ferguson told him the Blues were keen to take him.

Derek Davis

A NOD and a wink from Alex Bruce and Danny Simpson had no hesitation in coming to Ipswich bidding for his second promotion season in a row.

The full back, who joined on loan for the rest of the season, was straight on the blower to Bruce after Sir Alex Ferguson told him the Blues were keen to take him.

Simpson said: “I know Alex Bruce and rang him on the night before I came down and he told me what a good set of lads they are down here and how the manager wants to get the ball down and play and I have seen that in the short time I have been here.

“I asked Sir Alex Ferguson if I could go out on loan and he said that Ipswich had called about me.

“The boss said it would be a good move because Ipswich play good football and I jumped at the chance straight away.

“It was very important for me and United that I joined a club that has the same style of playing as at Old Trafford. United wouldn't want me to join a club that just knocks it long all the time so Ipswich are perfect for me.

The 21-year-old made 14 appearances for Roy Keane's Sunderland last season as they clinched promotion to the Premier League and is looking for a repeat of that success with the Blues.

Simpson said: “I really enjoyed my time at Sunderland last season. It was the first time I had played first-team football and helping them win promotion was great.

“Hopefully I can do the same here. We're chasing the play-offs and my target is to get in the team and help Ipswich get into the Premier League.”

Simpson signed a new three year deal earlier this season but was allowed to go out on loan after it looked like Gary Neville was returning from a long term injury when both played in the reserves last week.

Neville has since found out his ankle injury is still a concern and may not play against this season but Town insist there is no recall clause and Simpson will be with them until the end of the season and play-offs if required.

Simpson has made eight appearances for United this season, including three games in the Champions' League, but accepts regular first team football at Old Trafford is hard to come by at this stage of his career. Although rather than warm the bench is keen to be out adding to his experience.

Simpson said: “It is hard to break into the side because there are so many top class players at the club.

“The boss was happy for me to go out on loan and that is what I wanted to do. Playing first-team football is going to be better for me than reserves and while United is for the future, Ipswich is what counts now.”

Simpson made his Town debut as a second half substitute, playing on the right side of midfield as a stop gap, he is expected to be handed his full home debut against QPR on Saturday, playing full back.

While both David Wright and Sito Castro will feel aggrieved at losing out, Magilton has made it clear he sees Simpson playing in defence.

With Sito amassing the week's highest individual match score for a defender in the Actim Index, the official player ratings system of the Championship, in his man of the match performance at Scunthorpe it could be Wright that loses out tomorrow.

The Spaniard posted 40 points - his best score of the season - as he helped Town claim a 2-1 win at struggling Scunthorpe, scoring his first goal in English football in the process.