DARREN Ambrose says he would rather concentrate on playing for Newcastle United than worry about any transfer speculation.

The midfielder has been linked with a move back to his former club Ipswich in the summer, while Norwich are another club believed to be interested.

Ipswich boss Joe Royle recently admitted Ambrose was one player who should not have been allowed to leave and added he would love to see him back, whether the Tractor Boys got promoted or not.

Wednesday's North-East derby against Middlesbrough was only the fifth time Ambrose has started for the Magpies this season.

The £1m signing has suffered from several niggling injuries, but even when fit manager Graeme Souness has largely ignored him.

"I haven't had many games this season but because of all the injuries I'm getting my chance, so I pleased with that," said Ambrose.

"I think we played well enough to get a better result than a 0-0 draw on Wednesday. I thought we could have nicked it at the end and got the three points."

Off-the-field activities have taken precedence again this week with speculation rife over Craig Bellamy's allegedly rude and insulting text messages to captain Alan Shearer and chairman Freddie Shepherd's brother.

The chairman responded by saying Shearer was going to knock Bellamy's block off if he ever returned to Newcastle, before retracting the statement.

"We just try and ignore what is happening off the pitch," said Ambrose. "We just try and stick together as a team."

Ambrose nearly added to the two goals he netted against Bolton and Manchester United on Wednesday night, only to see Boro goalkeeper Brad Jones dive full length and make a breathtaking save from his 18-yard rocket.

Since he has been moved to a new central role the Harlow-born midfielder has had more opportunities to find the back of the net, something he is relishing at the moment.

"I like playing in the middle of midfield," admitted Ambrose.

"I get a lot of the ball and I see a lot more things that I don't see when I'm on the wing. But I'll play anywhere, I just want to play some games."

Former manager Sir Bobby Robson thought so highly of Ambrose that he let Nolberto Solano leave for Aston Villa in last year's January transfer window.

The exit of the former fans' favourite has made it all the harder for Ambrose to win over the supporters. But after an extended run in the side last season he finally began to deliver some of his early promise - culminating in a point saving goal at Southampton - only to take a step backwards this season.

"I don't think the fans have seen the best of me," confessed Ambrose.

"I haven't had a proper run in the team and I feel if I get ten,15 or 20 games I would get better and give a lot more.

"It has been very frustrating for me. When I first arrived I was injured and I've had a lot of little injuries as well, but I think that's because I was still growing.

"Now I feel 100 per cent fit and hopefully I can stay 100 per cent fit."

Ambrose admits he does not know what the immediate future holds for him but said: "I'm not really looking at that at the moment. I'm just looking at the next game and hoping to play. I'll look at the future at at the end of the season."

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