Mick McCarthy has heaped praise on Daryl Murphy after the forward's brace handed Ipswich Town a 2-1 victory over Fulham this afternoon.

The 31-year-old has now netted 21 league goals this campaign - more than any Ipswich player since David Johnson in the 1999-00 season - and McCarthy has said that the fact that he is settled has contributed to his good form.

"He's doing well, isn't he? He played well," McCarthy told the East Anglian Daily Times."He's settled, he's got the number nine, he's a centre-forward.

"He's not playing wide left or wide right or doing anything else. He's living in the area and he's not on loan any more."

Murphy is in his fourth season with Ipswich, having previously had spells on loan at the club from Sunderland and Celtic.