Former loan striker Luke Varney has revealed that he was about to sign a contract with the Blues when he suffered his ruptured achilles injury in the first leg of the play-off semi-final against Norwich City at Portman Road in May.

"I was in bits in the changing room, high on gas and air, I was crying," the striker or wideman told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"It makes you realise how close things are to changing. I was about to sign a contract at the club.”

That deal is now on hold until he gets fit with the 32-year-old targeting October for his return.

Despite not being contracted to the club, Blues boss Mick McCarthy and owner Marcus Evans offered Varney the use of Town’s facilities while he recovered from the injury, which required surgery, an offer he took up despite the PFA making St George’s Park in Staffordshire - closer to where his family is based - available to him.

He says he had also held talks with his then-parent club Blackburn about staying at Ewood Park beyond the end of his deal which was up on June 30th, but was never in any doubt that he preferred to join Town.

"There were discussions going on with Blackburn,” the Leicester-born player added. “I think they were going to offer me something but I made it clear to the manager I wasn't going to return even if they were to offer me any sort of wage.

"I still would have stuck with Ipswich because I've enjoyed my time here and am desperate to get back playing. People say I'm here to do my rehab, but I want to put the shirt back on."

Speaking at the start of pre-season training last week, Blues boss McCarthy was pleased to find Varney in an upbeat mood: “I’ve just seen him in there, he’s in his usual high spirits.

"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.”

Photo: Action Images

topguy added 12:51 - Jul 9 The sort of character that got us to the playoffs and will do again well done Reg get bk asap youll be needed.
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oldbri added 12:53 - Jul 9 This is the sort of player we need .One who is proud to wear the shirt and wants to play for the club. I hope your rehab is a success and that you play in the Ipswich shirt again . Great player.
7

bluefeast added 13:04 - Jul 9 Terrible injury ,to a first class bloke ,Stewart should take a look at his attitude and learn what commitment , team play and desire is all about.
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muccletonjoe added 13:06 - Jul 9 Older. Agree with you entirely. Pressed plus but it gave you a minus
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commuterblue added 13:07 - Jul 9 Would welcome him back. We do already have 4 top quality strikers. And I can't see us selling either Murphy or McGoldrick to a Championship club. But what a prospect to have those 5 at the club. Yes, there are other parts to fill in, but can't see many other clubs having such depth up front.
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Cakeman added 13:33 - Jul 9 Top character and would be great to see him back in a Town shirt.
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spanishblue added 13:48 - Jul 9 Probably make a great attacking right back mick
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 13:52 - Jul 9 Seems like a great character, and I really wish him well, but I think it's unlikely he's ever going to recover the form to make him a viable regular. Sorry to be pessimistic.
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Surco72 added 15:23 - Jul 9 I agree with Steve Sweden great character and hard working but was never going to take the club further before his injury let alone now . no different to the Hunts , Chaplow, Sammon ,etc We need class players , comfortable on the ball which was highlighted in all 4 of the derbies last season , players like Varney are not the answer
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Vizslaraner added 20:12 - Jul 9 Get back soon Reg u were a revaluation for us and ur attitude is top drawer. I knew u were a gd guy by how u put in such effort for us playing out wide. Anyone who comes out of the Crewe academy is a player and u have come to a club where it's more than just a business. Thanks to mm and ME we r gradually getting out club back. That's why we need players like u who give it their all. Felt gutted for u but u will b back in the team again before u know it.

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coolcat added 10:28 - Jul 10 Well said bluefeast. I think character count for a lot. Would also be worth it to hear Mick saying 'Reg Varney' again.
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