SUPERKID Owen Garvan today reassured Ipswich Town fans that he is looking no further than Portman Road to further his football career.He wants to buck the trend that has seen other talented youngsters from the Blues Academy move on to the benefit of other clubs.

By Elvin King

SUPERKID Owen Garvan today reassured Ipswich Town fans that he is looking no further than Portman Road to further his football career.

He wants to buck the trend that has seen other talented youngsters from the Blues Academy move on to the benefit of other clubs.

Darren Bent, Darren Ambrose and Titus Bramble are three players who are now starring in the Premiership after learning their trade under Academy manager Bryan Klug's watchful eye at Town's Rushmere training ground.

And 19-year-old Dean Bowditch is currently the subject of speculation about a possible move to West Ham, leading to fears by many fans that more of the family silver is about to be sold off.

But Dublin-born Garvan, who has taken the Championship by storm this season, has revealed his plans for the future - and they do include leaving Ipswich Town.

His Portman Road contract runs out in the summer of 2007 - and by that time he wants to see the Blues back in the top flight.

“The club deserves it,” said Garvan, who is struggling to be fit for Saturday's trip to Brighton after suffering an ankle injury against in last week's home 2-2 draw with Coventry.

“With their crowd levels and tradition, Ipswich are a Premiership club.

“I am an ambitious person, and my goal is to win a Championship medal.”

Garvan, who made his first team debut in the opening game of the season against Cardiff City, is an obvious target if Ipswich need to generate extra income in the up-coming transfer window or next summer.

West Ham have already been linked with Garvan, and a number of scouts from top clubs are well aware of the potential the unassuming lad possesses.

But as far as Garvan is concerned his thoughts are centred solely on Ipswich Town, and he is looking no further.

“The financial situation Ipswich find themselves in has been good for me,” he says. “The likes of Darren Bent, Kelvin Davis, Tommy Miller and Shefki Kuqi have had to be replaced, and the manager has not been afraid to bring in youngsters.

“This has given me my chance, and we will be able to tell at the end of the season how we have filled their boots.

“Now is the time for me to repay Joe Royle for the faith he has put in me. Hopefully we can still go up this season, but if not then 2006/07 will be a big one for me and also - I am sure - for the club.

“It has been great to hear and read kind comments about my performances, but I know that there is still plenty of room for improvement.

“I am still very young, and I can get better - scoring more goals and getting in more tackles.”

And he has praise for Klug. “It is phenomenal how many boys have already come through the Academy,” said Garvan.

“And there is so much potential in the Academy that there will definitely be more making the grade before very long.

“Bryan has worked a great deal with me, as he has other youngsters, and he has a fantastic record.”

Garvan admits to being home sick occasionally having left home virtually as soon as he left school. “But then I realise why I am over here and it soon passes,” he said.

“I could not wish to be with a better club than Ipswich, and everything is in place for me to continue to improve and fulfil my dream of becoming a top footballer.”

NORWEGIAN 24-year-old trialist Vemond Brekke Skard gave an impressive display in a behind-closed-doors game against Tottenham this week. The central midfielder is with Ipswich until the end of the week, and he was recommended by the same scout who produced Sito Castro.

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