Midfielder Lee Martin says he never really felt part of a team during his first season with the Blues, but now hopes to establish himself at Portman Road having been recalled from his loan at Charlton by new manager Paul Jewell. The winger was brought back halfway through his season-long spell at the Valley and started Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Doncaster.

Martin, who made only his 11th start for Town at the weekend, says he was never given the chance to settle in having joined from Manchester United for a fee understood to be somewhere between £1.6 million and £2 million.

He said: “I had a season where I was out for four months, back in, then put under a lot of pressure to show what I could do in 60 minutes.

“I never felt properly welcome and part of a team. But now it’s a fresh start, whatever happened before is gone. I don’t hold grudges, it’s just how football goes and the loan spell I’ve just had has done me the world of good and now the ball’s in my court.”

The 23-year-old was delighted to be called into the starting line-up only two days after returning to the club: “The points were the main thing, but for me the personal touch was coming straight back in and the gaffer giving me an opportunity.

“It was a little bit of a surprise to come straight back in, but it’s an opportunity that you take and fingers crossed I can keep working hard and take these opportunities.

“I probably was surprised because I only came back in on Thursday. But I think that gave me a massive boost because I couldn’t stop smiling. It would be a massive boost for anyone.

“On Thursday we did a little bit of work on shape and team play, but you never really know until he names the team.”

Martin admits that he has felt pressure during his time at Town but says new boss Paul Jewell was at pains to make sure he was more relaxed prior to Saturday’s match: “Before the game he said just to really enjoy it, take away the pressure and go out and express yourselves, and hopefully I did that.

“I think you always feel a little bit of pressure. I never really had the run of games to get my confidence up and get back to my best.

“I’ve had a couple of loan spells that worked out well, the Charlton one went really well, I got a lot of game time there and enjoyed it. I’ve come back more mature and hopefully a better player.”

Right-footed, although preferring to play on the left, Saturday’s game saw Martin play on either flank and he says he enjoys that flexibility: “We started off with the 4-4-2 and went into a 4-3-3 and matched them up.

“The front three had a little bit of licence to swap over and you’ve got to play with a little bit of freedom and go out and enjoy it because at the end of the day it’s football, that’s what you grew up enjoying and that’s what you love about the game.”

The one-time Wimbledon trainee says he was delighted to get the call to come back to Town: “It was always in the back of my mind when there was the change of manager, but you never really know until you get that phone call. When I found out it was brilliant news. I wanted to come back and show everyone what I can do.

“I know I can do that but I need to do it on a regular basis now and I’ll be working hard to ensure that.”

Other than his mum missing Saturday’s game because she was sorting out his new house in home town Bromley, Martin’s biggest disappointment is that he’s unable to face Arsenal in Tuesday’s Carling Cup semi-final: “I can’t play! I made my first start for Charlton in the Carling Cup at Shrewsbury.

"At the time it was a good day in that I scored, but looking back now it wasn’t the greatest day after all!”

Story syndicated from TWTD.co.uk

Photo: Action Images

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