Roberts now has a great chance

By Elvin King

GARY Roberts, who has signed a contract keeping him at Ipswich Town until 2010, said today he now has a chance to show everyone what he can achieve at this level.

And the wideman, who will cost a transfer fee of around £200,000 from League Two Accrington Stanley, had this pledge for Blues supporters.

“I have never doubted my ability,” said Roberts, who has been on loan at Portman Road since mid-October and caught the eye in Saturday's 2-0 Championship defeat at West Brom.

“And now I have the chance to show everyone what I can achieve at this level. It is a step up for me and a great opportunity to show what I can do at a big club.

Roberts was expected to keep his place in the Town midfield for today's home game against league leaders Birmingham City.

And he can look back on an encouraging display at The Hawthorns, when a controversial penalty decision gave Albion the first of their two goals.

“We were all left gutted,” said 22-year-old Roberts. “We passed West Brom off the park in the first half, and the referee let us down.

“It was a massive turning point and our heads went down a little.

“When the referee sees the incident on video he will surely agree that he got his decision badly wrong.

“Sylvain Legwinski was just two yards away and had no chance of getting his hands out of the way of the ball.”

Town were unchanged for the fourth consecutive match, but manager Jim Magilton was expected to make a couple of changes for today's match, with some fresh legs likely with four games in nine days.

The boss will be looking for more goal threat after Town controlled much of the play and missed good chances through Jon Macken and Danny Haynes.

Nathan Ellington was missing from the Albion side because of illness, with their goals coming from Diomansy Kamara after Lewis Price had blocked his 52nd minute penalty and a stunner from Jason Koumas in the 67th minute.