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

bohslegend added 10:50 - Jun 30 As he's proven before MM is shrewd with all acquisitions. Even the idea of having two good squad players back in for training like this (whether they do or dont sign) is good management. For the young lads who might make the next step (Henshall, Connolly, Clarke etc) the pre-season needs to be of a certain quality and tempo to bring them on. Having guys like Ambrose and NHunty in the squad during this time is essential.

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StowTractorBoy added 10:52 - Jun 30 Sorry but this does not fill me with inspiration. Don't get me wrong I like the guy and he has been a decent player but will he make any difference to what we already have - I personally don't think so. Mick obviously sees that he has some value being in the squad so we have to trust his judgement.
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Superblue95 added 11:33 - Jun 30 Anderson probably hasn't been brought back because there was a lot of interest in him. Why would he spend his time training with us when there is still no guarantee he would get a new contract here? Ambrose and hunt will do their best to try and earn a new contract here as it will be harder for them to get a contract anywhere. Not moved either way whether they sign or not

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Bergholtblue added 11:44 - Jun 30 I don't know why people are getting so up tight over this news. He is only here for pre-season training. There is no deal yet. If he works hard and impresses MM/TC and they think he has something to offer he will be offered something. If not, we all move on.
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dubblue added 12:26 - Jun 30 Agree both are only here for pre season training, so no commitments made yet. I assume in the case of Ambrose there is feeling of loyalty towards given his past Ipswich connections. neither player is an obvious first team player but we do need strength in the squad and both could be good mentors for the younger up and coming players.
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jas0999 added 12:28 - Jun 30 As I have said before, if Mick rated any of these players he would have offered them a deal already ala Tabb. I could understand N Hunt who was unlucky with injury + he is more a winger nowadays. However, I accept this won't be popular, but I see no reason for offering Ambrose a contract. Spent a lot of last season injured with different niggling conditions and despite a decent showing at Southampton, he ultimately offered very little. To me, this would be a backwards step. Anderson offered so much more. Odd.

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Adrian_Paz added 13:23 - Jun 30 I agree I wouldn't be too disappointed with this. Noel Hunt had a great attitude when he came in and you can see he is desperate to play. You need that to keep the other strikers on their toes. Ambrose still has something to offer I think too as a squad player!
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BrettenhamBlue added 13:26 - Jun 30 Hopefully we will end up signing both Hunts. Would be good for the morale of the club. Will be great to see Ambrose in a Town shirt again. Given the money we have now, it's strange that we can't offer Chaplow a year.
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GiveusaWave added 13:32 - Jun 30 Shame Frank Nouble is now in China. We could have snapped him up on a one-year deal and he's only 23. Always gave his all whenever he played and linked well with our style of play.
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essex57 added 15:43 - Jun 30 Great that DA is being given another chance can come on off the bench and hold the ball up or add a bit of creativity on the pitch also he's blue through and through disagree with Tufty the difference between Norwich and us was the player we've mugged Bournemouth for 8,000,000 was not up to the task.
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Warkys_Tash added 21:34 - Jun 30 Can someone please tell Austractor that Hewitt has ben released. :-)
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