Town have confirmed that academy defender or striker Jack Ainsley has been offered a one-year professional contract, as first revealed by TWTD more than a week ago.

Ainsley has impressed at centre-half this season having previously played as a striker. TWTD reported that a one-year deal had been offered to the Ipswich-born player last Monday.

Ainsley, brother of former academy scholar Stuart, now at Canvey Island, and son of eighties Town youth player George, told the club site: "I have been offered a professional contract and that was my target at the start of the season.

"Obviously, I'm very pleased that I have done enough to win a one-year deal and hopefully next season, I can go on and catch the eye of the manager."

Ainsley is likely to be at the heart of the Town U18 side's defence when the young Blues face Watford in their rearranged FA Youth Cup fifth round tie at Portman Road on Saturday (KO 3pm).

Yesterday, Town announced that entry to that game will cost only £1.

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