Injured Ipswich Town striker Noel Hunt has outlined his desire to feature again for the Tractor Boys in the Championship this season.

The Irishman hasn't played since suffering knee ligament damage in the 2-1 win at Fulham earlier this month and has been ruled out for up to three months.

That would see him miss the rest of the season, but the 32-year-old is targeting an early return so that he can figure in the final weeks of the season.

"On the Monday (two days after) I had to see a specialist and I was fearing it might be nine months but he reassured me that it wasn't as bad as that, which was a big relief," Hunt told the club website.

"I'm gutted to be out but the incentive for me now is to get back before the end of the season. If it's 12 weeks and we are in the playoffs, then I can get back for that. If I can make it eight or nine weeks, then I'll be back before the end of the season. That is what I'm aiming for.

"I'll put the work in. I don't like sitting around anyway so I'll be doing double sessions and everything I can to be back as quick as I can."

Promotion hopefuls Ipswich have won just three of their 10 games in 2015 to fall five points behind league leaders in fourth place.