Ipswich Town defender Cameron Burgess has said that he felt ready to come into the starting lineup following Jacob Greaves’ hamstring injury.

The centre-back was away with Australia during the last international break, scoring an own-goal in a 1-1 draw against Japan in Saitama on Tuesday, October 15th. He returned to England soon after, making his Premier League debut at short notice just four days later as the Blues lost 2-0 at home to Everton.

Burgess, who’s started all three games since making his maiden appearance at the level, has impressed in the top flight despite Town’s inconsistent defensive performances.

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Given what he went through in the days building up to his debut, manager Kieran McKenna claimed that he’d have to be ‘some version of a psychopath’ not to feel nervous, but he revealed that he felt fine to come in and start for Town nonetheless.

“That’s what you prepare for, that’s what you train hard for,” he argued. “You’re ready at a moment’s call, basically.

“I was ready to take the chance when it came. That’s what we’re part of the squad for.

“We’ve got a big squad and a good squad. Everyone’s ready to step in when they get the chance.”

Burgess found minutes were hard to come by earlier in the season. Having played regularly in pre-season, his only competitive appearance for Ipswich before his Premier League debut came in the Carabao Cup exit away at League Two side AFC Wimbledon.

Jacob Greaves is currently sidelined with a hamstring injuryJacob Greaves is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury (Image: Ross Halls)

That’s because there’s only room for one left-sided centre-back in the starting lineup, with Greaves thriving in that role for most of the campaign. That being said, the 29-year-old is enjoying the competition from the summer signing, describing it as a ‘tough battle’.

“It’s great,” he said. “We challenge each other. It’s a tough position to get into.

“I think Greavesy has settled in really well at the club and done really well when he’s played.

“It’s a tough battle, but an exciting one.”

Burgess will know that he may find himself out of the starting lineup when Greaves returns, although he’ll work hard to make sure that that’s not the case. For now, he’s enjoying regular Premier League football, particularly at Portman Road, where the atmosphere is almost always electric.

“It’s special,” he explained. “Obviously you don’t get to do it too many times.

“It’s a special place to come and play, as soon as you step out onto that pitch and the fans are right behind us.

“It’s brilliant to see.”