Blues manager Mick McCarthy says former loanee Luke Varney is in high spirits despite facing a long spell on the sidelines having ruptured his achilles during Town’s play-off semi-final first leg against Norwich City at Portman Road in May.

The 32-year-old is a free agent having been released by his parent club Blackburn following his spell with the Blues and has accepted Town’s invitation to undergo his rehab - which was expected to take up to six months - at Playford Road. A new contract is set to be offered once he is assessed fit.

“I’ve just seen him in there, he’s in his usual high spirits," McCarthy said at the start of pre-season training on Tuesday.

"He told me had a good holiday but that he had to have a mobility scooter which, when he saw a couple of his ex-team-mates, caused huge hilarity for him. I think he was like the woman off Benidorm!

“He’s such a great character, so he had a laugh at that as well. He seems in good form. He’s just such a good, positive character.

“I don’t know how long he’s going to be out for, he’s going to be a good while yet having snapped his achilles.

“But we’ll look after him and get him fit and hopefully he’ll be a player for us again.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal youngster Ainsley Maitland-Niles will be at Town today to formalise his season-long loan move and to train with his new team-mates for the first time.

Elsewhere, Ipswich-born former Blues youth coach and one-time ballboy Terry Westley, 55, will take charge of West Ham this evening when they take on FC Lusitans of Andorra in a sell-out Europa League first qualifying round tie at Upton Park.

New manager Slaven Bilic has already started his job but has been away on a training camp with some of the senior players ahead of the game and will watch from the stands.

Westley, named the Hammers’ academy manager last summer, will in the dugout taking charge of a side which is a mix of senior and U21s, as well as 16-year-old England U17 international Reece Oxford, who will become West Ham’s youngest-ever first-team player.

Photo: Action Images

parkinshair added 10:32 - Jul 2 Good to hear. Look forward to seeing him pull on a town shirt again.
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Bluebell added 10:38 - Jul 2 I am really pleased Mick is 'looking after' Reg. He was a great player for us, totally dedicated, and obviously got on well with all the other players. Such a shame he was injured. I hope he makes a quick recovery and is back playing for Town again in a few months.
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JewellintheTown added 11:04 - Jul 2 I'd pay good money to see Reg play in his mobility scooter. Put the ball in his basket on the front and get him to peg it down the pitch into the net.
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PJH added 11:07 - Jul 2 It would be good to see Varney back involved. By the time he is fit we will hopefully be riding high in the table and it would be good to have a "new" addition to the squad who we know will fit in straight away.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 12:07 - Jul 2 I think he was like the women of Benidom, classic
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RaymondovicBlue added 12:14 - Jul 2 Ipswich are a good club. A reputation as a genuine, caring club - with genuine caring staff and players. He was injured playing for us and giving his all so we would of course look after him and maintain that reputation! Even Chopra deserved our help. Even though he didn't exactly repay it - didn't we do it because it wast he RIGHT THING TO DO and surely NOT because he would pay back?? But ALSO - Varney will work his socks off to be fit as he is hungry to play again - and if he gets fit he will go straight onto the bench at least. I have a feeling that whilst we are "just doing the right thing", the payback may be "in full with interest" All the best Reg All the best ITFC Roll on the season - it's the turn of the "good guys" this year ! COYB

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marcusevans added 12:31 - Jul 2 It's like being back in the old days of the Cobbolds! A caring football club again, makes you feel proud. What would the Dark Lord have done in this situation I wonder?
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itsonlyme added 12:41 - Jul 2 It would be great to see him back and playing as soon as possible. I am pleased the club are looking after him. Hopefully, he can repay us with some vital goals in the run-in! Here's hoping!
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RaymondovicBlue added 13:21 - Jul 2 Marcus Evans.... You seen to agree with me judging by your comment... Why the down vote please? Let's talk it over!!
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MeenoITFC added 13:32 - Jul 2 A real man not playing for the pay cheque like the ponses coming through nowadays. Lukes a top man and put all his effort in on the pitch. He deserves the rehab at our place
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marcusevans added 14:06 - Jul 2 Raymondovicblue Sorry, hit the wrong button. COYB
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RaymondovicBlue added 15:25 - Jul 2 Marcusevans - thanks. That's a relief ! I get it when people agree or disagree, but when they do both at the same time it confuses my little brain!!!! Cheers mate!
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TennesseeBlue added 21:04 - Jul 2 Yes, we should help him get over his injury No, we shouldn't sign him permanently when he recovers. I am sorry, I don't think he is good enough. Noel Hunt is much better IMHO
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