FORMER Ipswich Town youngster Jordan Rhodes grabbed a piece of football history at the weekend.

FORMER Ipswich Town youngster Jordan Rhodes grabbed a piece of football history at the weekend.

Rhodes, a prolific goal-getter throughout his youth career at Portman Road, scored the fastest headed hat-trick in an English league match since the great Everton star Dixie Dean in the 1930s.

The 19-year-old, whose move to Huddersfield Town in August shocked many Ipswich fans, scored in the 44th, 50th and 52nd minute as The Terriers ran out 4-0 winners in their League One match at home to Exeter. He also struck the bar.

Rhodes has now scored 11 times since Town manager Roy Keane sold him to the Yorkshire side. It's a fact that will be noted by many Ipswich supporters who were eagerly anticipating his return to Portman Road this term following a successful loan spell with League Two champions Brentford.

Lee Novak added the fourth for Huddersfield, who move up to eighth in the table, just a point behind Norwich City who occupy the final play-off position.

Lee Clark, who is reported to have paid Ipswich �800,000 for Rhodes, has been quick to ward off clubs who may be interested in putting in a bid for the striker when the transfer window re-opens in January.

Clark said: "There is no price on Jordan's head. I don't have to worry about him being sold because we have a very wealthy owner. But I realise people who score goals regularly can become very valuable."

Clark worked hard to secure Rhodes from Ipswich during the summer, and he added: "I phoned Roy Keane over the summer about a few other players and cheekily mentioned Jordan's name at the end of the list. I got no response about Jordan but I kept at it and gradually wore Keane down.

"Jordan's tea-total and comes from a family where both his mum and dad are football people, so he knows what the game is all about and I believe he can reach the top.

"But I've no idea what he will do with his man-of-the-match champagne!"