Following their slight 1-0 victory over Rochdale last night, Luke Garbutt took to Twitter to send a message to the supporters that made the long trip up north.

Danny Rowe’s second-half strike proved to be the only difference between the two sides at the Spotland Stadium; it was the winger’s first goal at the club since arriving in 2017.

Garbutt, unlike Rowe, hasn’t been struggling for goals this season. The defender has shown his attacking credentials since the beginning of the campaign and already has three goals to his name this season.

He very nearly made that four in the trip to Rochdale too. The left back smashed towards goal from just outside the penalty box in the first half of the match but saw his effort crash against the crossbar.

The win meant that the Tractor Boys moved up into pole position in League One, above promotion rivals Wycombe Wanderers on goal difference. After a blip in form against Accrington Stanley and Rotherham United, back-to-back away wins have put Paul Lambert’s men back on track.

His message to the supporters commended the backing him and his teammates received all game. Along with this, the defender couldn’t help but allude to their new position in the league table.

It is worth remembering that Garbutt is with the Tractor Boys on loan from Premier League outfit Everton, and his arrival at Portman Road in the summer has been dearly welcomed by everyone at the club.

Under Lambert, he has quickly established himself as a first-team regular and a sure fan favourite. With those three goals in mind, it is no wonder too.

The verdict

Ipswich have undoubtedly found a gem in the loan market this season. It is his sixth loan spell of his senior career and his experience is showing. After having been at the likes of Fulham and Wigan Athletic, there is no doubt that Ipswich will want to retain his services next season, wherever they finish.

Can you get 18 out of 18 on this Ipswich Town quiz? Have a go now!

At 26, Garbutt isn’t exactly a young prospect anymore.

He will surely want to depart Everton in the hope of playing regular first-team football. Particularly if Ipswich earn promotion this season, he will be exactly the type of player they ought to be looking to sign. If they don’t earn promotion, he may very well be lost to a Championship side.