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Ambrose Given Chance to Win New Deal
Tuesday, 30th Jun 2015 06:00

TWTD understands that Darren Ambrose will join up with the Blues squad for the start of pre-season training at Playford Road this morning.

The 31-year-old midfielder was amongst the out-of-contract players not given new terms at the end of the season but told manager Mick McCarthy hadn’t ruled out offering a deal later on in the summer.

West Suffolk-based Ambrose, who rejoined his old club initially on trial in August last year and went on to make three starts and five sub appearances, scoring once, will spend pre-season training with Town and has been given the chance to win what would be a fourth stint at the club.

The Harlow-born midfielder came through the academy ranks at Playford Road and made his senior debut at Arsenal as an 18-year-old close to the end of the Blues' 2001/02 Premier League campaign.

After establishing himself in the Town side after relegation, he was sold less than a year later to Newcastle for £1 million as the club sought to raise cash having gone into administration.

Ambrose subsequently moved to Charlton before rejoining the Blues on loan for two months during the 2008/09 season but failed to win a permanent deal. A spell with Crystal Palace followed before he moved on to Birmingham in July 2012.

Unable to establish himself at St Andrew’s, he spent time on loan with Greek side Apollon Smyrni prior to being released by the Midlands club last summer.

We understand that Noel Hunt, also not immediately offered a new deal at the end of the season, could also return to Playford Road tomorrow, having similarly been offered the chance to join in with pre-season training.

Hunt, 32, joined the Blues initially on loan from Leeds in November 2014 and scored a dramatic debut winner having come on as a sub at Charlton.

After being released by the Whites, he re-signed for the Blues on a short-term deal in January and in total made three starts and nine sub appearances, scoring three goals.

The other three players in the same position as Ambrose and Hunt - Paul Anderson, Stephen Hunt and Richard Chaplow - are not expected to return to the club.

Joining up with the squad for the first time today will be Arsenal youngster Ainsley Maitland-Niles, whose signing on a season-long loan is close to being formalised.

Meanwhile, reported Town target Koby Arthur has signed a new contract with his current club Birmingham City.

Elsewhere, former Blues left-back Aaron Cresswell has signed a new five-year deal with West Ham. The 25-year-old, who enjoyed a hugely successful first season at Upton Park, winning the Hammer of the Year award, had been linked with Manchester City and Chelsea.

Wolves and Leeds United are reported to have had bids for ex-Blues loanee Chris Wood accepted by Leicester City. The offers are variously claimed to be anywhere between £1 million and £2.5 million.

QPR are also said to be interested in the 23-year-old New Zealand international, who made three starts and five sub appearances for Town last season.


Photo: Action Images



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wkj added 06:04 - Jun 30
I am so very gutted about Ando... he has to be worth one more year... good to see a few faces returning though
3

hampstead_blue added 07:02 - Jun 30
I can go with that. Ambrose and Noel Hunt. Glad the others have not been offered anything.

Chris wood? If we sold Murphy then maybe, but we've got a wonderful front line. No need to rock that boat.
3

bluefeast added 07:02 - Jun 30
Rather Anderson than Hunt or Ambrose ,its very odd , if you look at the stats in terms of goals and assists ,tackles won etc etc ,he is stand out over Tabb. He can also do a job at right back. Mick shouldn't be allowing any of those released back in the squad and if anyone then Andersons the one. Ambrose offered nothing last season other than a few minutes on the pitch and many hours unfit. Move forward MM.
4

runaround added 07:04 - Jun 30
Ambrose & N.Hunt are the 2 out of the released players that I would have offered new deals to but we will see what happens.
Some may see it as a backward step but we have strengthened these areas already & they will only be back ups & are essentially on trial so might not be offered deals unless they shine.
Still think MM will look to strengthen further so can't see this as a problem
5

bluefeast added 07:05 - Jun 30
Chris Wood came to us and was useless and unfit ,then as soon as his fitness improved he played one game and looked ok ,but nothing more. Pearson then recalled him. He is clearly on his way out of Leicester and will go to wolves ,although i hope he goes to leeds as they are a relegation candidate for this season with that mad owner.
1

Tufty added 07:08 - Jun 30
They are only training no deals yet,
Ando tries hard and is a great bloke but is not quite up there
Steven Hunt likewise, no final ball and no goals
Ambrose has quality and you need a few squad players, only 11 play at a time
Noel Hunt do we need him? possibly depending on Murph but funding for players thanks to Mings deal so no need to sell.
Looking good
Defence - Solid with back up
Midfield - weakest part of the team Norwich midfield made the difference in the play off, could use another attacking midfielder.
Attack - exciting,
Onward and upward fellow tractor folk
3

austractor added 07:35 - Jun 30
Strange signing (Niles) but exciting if it signals Mick is planning to go for it abit this year in terms of attacking play.

Add players like Henshall, Stewart, Hewitt, Hyam, Bish, Smith, Seers, Fraser and you have a young and talented core to the team potentially (if some listed get a look in).

Bring on the season!


0

GeorgeITFC24 added 07:46 - Jun 30
Genuinely surprised at this. I thought Anderson and both Hunts would have stayed.
0

MrBloo added 07:48 - Jun 30
Mick would be an idiot if he didn't give Ambrose another year. The man is in a different class when it comes to ability and we lack class..

Now, here's a thought. Mick is one for playing players out of position, (Chambers, Smith) so why not convert Ambrose to a right back. He has pace, reads the game well and won't just hoof it up the field. He would be ideal playing behind the young potential wingers like Connolly or the young Gooner, or Kundai Benyu giving then confidence and calming advice.

If we want to see passing football from the back, Ambrose could be the man.
6

MeenoITFC added 07:49 - Jun 30
Ambrose has been there and done it, a little rock of experience in the middle. He gave me a great time Southampton away what a header haha, so why not?
4

MeenoITFC added 07:50 - Jun 30
Ambrose has been there and done it, a little rock of experience in the middle. He gave me a great time Southampton away what a header haha, so why not?
1

Paddy39 added 07:57 - Jun 30
Ambrose not for me.
-4

MarkFish added 08:01 - Jun 30
That you tube clip looks class.
Pace skill finishing.
2

Sospiri added 08:01 - Jun 30
This is very sensible, by Mick. Hunt scored three from three starts, an impressive return, and Ambrose is forward-minded, can score from distance, and is very experienced. Both will be worthy back-ups. We have an exciting season ahead.
3

PJH added 08:22 - Jun 30
It makes sense to me if Ambrose is given one more(last)chance to re-establish himself at this level because he no doubt has the class.Not too bothered either way about Noel Hunt although his goal at Charlton will long be remembered.
Would like Ando to still be with us but there has to be some turnover in playing staff so some have to move on.
2

blue_movies added 08:28 - Jun 30
And already the back sliding begins. Ambrose brought zero to the team last year. The only reason he's training with us is because no-one wants him. So its frees. loans and trialists.
-4

KuqiCoup added 08:59 - Jun 30
Do any of the negative numpties have any idea how football works?

You don't just stick 25 Berras, McGoldricks and Murphys in the squad and expect everyone to be happy. They won't be. We need a core of first team players, others like Hunt and Ambrose that will be squad players and expect to fight for a place and youngsters as well.

Ambrose is a great addition to the squad. Same as Chaplow. Same as Varney. Players that could be naturally at an average Championship side or top League One club but who would be happy to play for a Top 6 Championship squad as a squad player.

Ambrose isn't the 22 year old that we had that was superb for Newcastle and Palace but he is a very good technical player for this level, won't cost much and is settled in the area, plus he has an affection for the squad.

The divs on here seem to think Evans has just decided to pocket the £8m now and is going to recall the Hunt Sisters and Anderson. Chill out. This is a sensible addition to the squad IF we even decide to sign him. It may simply be a back up plan in case Mick doesn't land the signings he really wants for the price he wants.

Entirely sensible. Stop blubbing.
12

rickw added 09:10 - Jun 30
Ambrose deserves a chance - last season it seemed he got injured just as he managed to force his way into to first team, so he never really was able to prove himself.

I don't see the point in signing Noel Hunt, I'd see him as our 5th choice striker (probably 6th if we sign Varney later) after Murphy, Sears, McGoldrick + Pitman
2

mikeybloo88 added 09:22 - Jun 30
If our ambition is genuinely to get promoted, we need better squad players than Ambrose and Hunt..if we get injuries, I don't see them carrying on the charge
-3

Pilgrimblue added 09:47 - Jun 30
If they both measure up then MM will have two mor efor his squad. Although I was generally disappointe dwith Andro, he could make a decent rb. Trouble is that MM has got Smith and Chambers out of position so it'll be interesting if he does anything about that in the coming weeks.
1

gosblue added 10:08 - Jun 30
I cant see any harm in offering Ambrose and N Hunt a contract until January with a view to extending. Besides, I suspect one of our main strikers will be off soon otherwise why bring in Pitman
0

muccletonjoe added 10:09 - Jun 30
No harm in seeing if either of them are up for another season .
1

Infinidi added 10:10 - Jun 30
Well happy with Ambrose, not too bothered about Noel Hunt. Maitland-Niles looks decent as well.

Funny we've let Stephen Hunt go - we won every game he started last season.
2

braveblue added 10:11 - Jun 30
Ambrose and Hunt just not good enough to make us better. Not enough impact from the bench either. If we are to improve we must look elsewhere.
-3

theblueginger added 10:18 - Jun 30
Ando not getting a new deal is strange, unless his denmands/exisitng deal was high, which i find unlikely, makes you wonder the reasoning behind not even giving him a chance to earn a new deal.

Saying that, Ambrose staying for another season would be fine by me. I would say something similar about Noel Hunt, but with 4 quality first team strikers and Varney, is he needed?
1


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