Ikpeazu challenged to prove worth and net extended loan deal

Manager Rob Page has laid down the gauntlet to striker Uche Ikpeazu and told the forward “tell me by your actions that I have to start you next week and I have to keep you until the end of the season.”

Ikpeazu started the season in good form and had scored six goals by early October. However, his impact has been less impressive since then and with his loan set to expire in January, manager Page wants to see the forward return to form before deciding on a possible loan extension.

When he gets given an opportunity to wear that jersey, then go out and give a good account of yourself…

Louis Dodds’ injury means that there is now a forward place up for grabs and Page told the Sentinel:  “We have a busy period over Christmas and, if at any time he is called upon, then go and give a good account of yourself. That’s like he has done, he has scored six goals at the start of the season. I don’t think he has had the same impact when he has come off the bench for me, why that is I don’t know.

“When he gets given an opportunity to wear that jersey, then go out and give a good account of yourself and tell me by your actions that I have to start you next week and I have to keep you until the end of the season.

“So, that’s where we are at with it at the minute. We have been in contact with Watford anyway and will be at the start of January.”