MARK Noble says that his loan period at Ipswich Town earlier this season enhanced his career.The West Ham midfielder, who turns 20 this week, was at Portman Road for Town's 3-1 win over Cardiff on Sunday.

By Elvin King

MARK Noble says that his loan period at Ipswich Town earlier this season enhanced his career.

The West Ham midfielder, who turns 20 this week, was at Portman Road for Town's 3-1 win over Cardiff on Sunday.

He said: “It was a good grounding and I loved it at Ipswich. It was a definite forward move in my career.

“I made some good friends and have been back to Ipswich several times, but this was the first game I have seen since I left.

“Ipswich have potential to be play-off or automatic promotion material with the manager saying he is going to bring in new faces.”

And talking about West Ham, where he scored a superb goal on Saturday, Noble said: “We are confident we can get out of relegation now.”