DARYL Murphy's move from Sunderland to Ipswich Town was one of the “easiest” decisions he's ever had to make as a footballer.

Carl Marston

By Carl Marston

DARYL Murphy's move from Sunderland to Ipswich Town was one of the “easiest” decisions he's ever had to make as a footballer.

And now the 26-year-old front-man wants to repay manager Roy Keane's faith in him with a few goals, as a striker rather than on the wing.

Murphy is set to make his Town debut at home to Middlesbrough tomorrow. In fact, Keane could well blood both of his new recruits from the start, with fellow Sunderland loanee David Healy almost certain to be in the starting XI.

Both Healy and Murphy played under Keane at the Stadium of Light.

“It was an easy decision in the end,” insisted Murphy, whose initial proposed move to Portman Road last summer broke down.

Murphy continued: “I nearly came to Ipswich in the summer, and a few summers ago as well. Something must keep dragging back me here.

“It's obviously easier when you've worked with the manager. We've also played with a lot of the players that are here, so it's a lot easier to come here and blend in.

“We know that the manager is like. We know how he likes to play.

“I think he (Keane) is one of the easiest managers to play for. There's no messing around. If you're not doing it, he'll let you know. He's just honest, and I enjoyed my time at Sunderland under him.

“I really wanted this move to happen. I was looking forward to the move happening last summer, but thankfully I'm here now,” added Murphy.

Although Murphy, a Republic of Ireland international, has only bagged 14 goals in 110 league games for Sunderland, he's quick to explain why that scoring record is not particularly impressive.

“It's hard not scoring, but the number of games played as a winger doesn't help, because people look at my record and they think he's not scored that many,” admitted Murphy.

“But I've probably played 70% of my games at Sunderland as a left-midfielder.

“Given the chance as a striker, I know I can score goals. And if I do play as a striker, I will.

“The gaffer knows he'll get more out of me as a striker. He knows that I'm a striker really

“But the main priority is to get Ipswich out of the position they are in. I think they are in a false position.

“With the players and the squad that they've got, they should be doing a lot better. Hopefully, David (Healy) and I can add some more quality to the team to push them back up the table.”

Murphy believes that he and Healy can hit it off together, as a strike-force, helped by the fact they have trained and played together over the last 18 months.

“We've been up there (at Sunderland) training together, but not playing,” said Murphy.

“We know each other's game, and we're coming here as strikers, so hopefully we can complement each other and score a lot of goals.

“I obviously knew I was coming here, and when I found out that David was also coming down, I thought - “Nice one” - I can travel down with someone and obviously he can keep me company in the hotel,” concluded Murphy.