Republic of Ireland and Ipswich Town midfielder Alan Judge praised Manchester United legend Paul Ince for being the manager to first give him a chance at first team level.

Judge worked under Ince at Blackburn Rovers in the early stages of his career and said it was the former England man that allowed him to train with the senior team as a young player.

While Judge never went on to make a Premier League appearance for the Ewood Park club, but did have successful loan spells with Plymouth Argyle and Notts County before earning a permanent move to Meadow Lane - where he again worked with Ince.

"The minute Paul came in at Blackburn, he didn't care about your name or reputation," the 31-year-old told Tribal Football.

"I felt like he took to me straight away from the first day in training and he had me in and around the first team. He then gave me my debut and I think I would have probably played a little more if he had stayed for longer. To me he was very good and I had him twice, at Notts County too, so to me he was always very good. I think he has maybe been a bit unlucky in one or two jobs that he took. I think he will be looking at getting back in there at some point, so hopefully it's not over for him."

Judge later returned to Blackburn before spending a successful five-year spell with Brentford, helping them secure promotion to the Championship in 2014.

The Ireland international joined Ipswich last January and has made 47 appearances for Paul Lambert's side as they look to earn promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking.