Akpom relieved to break Ipswich duck

Chuba Akpom began his career as a youngster at Arsenal

Ipswich Town striker Chuba Akpom is hoping the goals will keep coming after finally breaking his duck for the Championship club.

Akpom arrived at Portman Road on loan from Dutch club Ajax in the summer and finally hit the target - with a three-yard open-goal tap-in - in Tuesday's 2-0 victory at Hull.

"I needed a sweaty one like that," Akpom told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"Every striker wants to score goals - I'm really grateful to the fans because there's (been) games where I've come on and they're still singing my name even though I hadn't got my first goal yet. That gave me a big push and I'm glad to get off the mark.

"You start over-thinking stuff (when you don't score). It's not something I'm used to, I like to put the ball in the back of the net and when it's not happening I get a bit frustrated. I had to show some patience."

The game at the MKM Stadium was Akpom's 13th appearance for the club - but his eighth from the bench, with boss Kieran McKenna preferring George Hirst and Ivan Azon in the main striker role so far this season.

"I've played number nine for the majority of my career, I can do a job wherever. If I keep doing the right things, keep working hard, keep playing for the team, I'm sure the goals will (keep coming)," the 30-year-old said.

"We've got basically two teams here, there's top players on the bench as well so whenever you get a chance you have to take it."

Town's third successive away victory has lifted them up to fifth in the table ahead of Friday evening's game at Oxford United - and they could go second if they win that one by at least a two-goal margin.

Akpom, however, said it was too soon to be over-concerned about their league position.

"It was a big win (at Hull), one of the most important wins of the season, I'd say," he added.

"It's too early, we need to be consistent for the full season, we have lots more work to do so hopefully we can just keep on going."