Luke Chambers would love to sign a new Ipswich Town contract after taking on the captain’s armband and quickly adapting to the right-back role.

The 27-year-old is now in the second year of a three-year deal and admits he has loved life in Suffolk so far.

Having formed a solid central defensive partnership with Tommy Smith in the second half of last season, he has been moved to right-back in recent weeks to accommodate the use of Christophe Berra in the side.

And he’s looked every inch the captain whenever deputising in the absence of skipper Carlos Edwards from the starting line-up.

“After the gaffer came in last year I think, at centre-half, I was playing some of the best football of my career,” he said.

“Ten clean sheets in 15 games was credit to all the lads involved and personally I thought I was playing some very good football.

“It’s no secret that I feel that centre-back is my best position, but if the gaffer thinks me playing out on the right makes us a stronger team then I think people know me well enough by now to know that I’m here to be of benefit to the team.

“My personal preference will stay with me and I’ll go out and do the job that I’m asked to do.

“There is a hell of a lot more running involved. I scored my goal against Middlesbrough and every time the ball is down the left hand side he (McCarthy) wants me to get in the box.

“I’ve been doing that for 70 minutes but after that it becomes harder and harder!”

On his increasing role as captain, Chambers said: “I’ve been very, very lucky in my career to captain two sides with such massive history in (Nottingham) Forest and now Ipswich.

“I feel I’m doing a fairly good job at it and if the opportunity arises I’d love to continue doing it.

“When I’ve been captain we’ve not done too many pre-match huddles. Talk is cheap at that time of the day – everything is said that needs to be said. It shouldn’t need my words to inspire someone that close to a game.”

Asked if he’d like to sign a contract extension in the near future, he said: “I’m very, very much enjoying my football and living in the area. If that opportunity arose then 100% I’d jump at it because I’m really enjoying myself.

“If we continue to do well and perform the way we can, and the manager stays, I’d definitely want to stay.”

Town host Brighton tomorrow without the services of striker Paul Taylor after he rejoined former club Peterborough United on loan until November 1. Veteran target man Alan Lee or teenager Jack Marriott could step up to the bench.

Brighton, who are unbeaten in six matches under new boss Oscar Garcia, have a host of injury doubts (see below), but do welcome back former Town loanee midfielder Keith Andrews after he was ineligible for last weekend’s 3-1 home win over parent club Bolton.