Town loanee Jonny Williams has declared himself fit to start in tomorrow’s home clash with rock-bottom Rotherham at Portman Road.

The Crystal Palace and Wales midfielder, who is back for a fourth loan spell at Portman Road, has finally recovered from an ankle injury sustained in pre-season action for the Eagles and is itching to get his career back on track.

Williams, who turned 23 earlier this month, said: “The main reason I came back here was to play football and I want to be back out there showing everyone what I’m capable of doing. We’ve also got Didzy back and it will be a pleasure to play alongside him.

“We were linking up well when I played with him before, along with Murph and Searsy. But that was cut short by another bad tackle and the way Didzy and I have been getting on in training makes me keen to team up with him again.

“I’m feeling good. The manager has been easing me back into it and I came on for about the last 10 minutes against Newcastle last weekend. Hopefully I’ll get a bit longer against Rotherham on Saturday.

“I had my first full game on Monday in the U23 fixture against Cardiff, which was good for me physically and mentally. It’s in my head now that I played a whole game and I feel I’m now ready to start if called upon.

“I’m delighted to be back here, especially after the first two loan spells I had at the club. I’ve really enjoyed my time at Ipswich and at times I was playing my best football here under Mick McCarthy.

“It was a bit of a no-brainer coming back for a fourth loan spell. I was delighted that the gaffer wanted me back, especially as I was injured at the time, but I’m fit now and I just want to play as often as I can this season.”

On cloud nine after his impressive displays for Wales in the Euros, Williams came back down to earth with a bump when he was injured in a warm-up game at non-league Farnborough and he admitted the subsequent weeks have been difficult for him.

He added: “It has been tough, especially after the high of being involved in the Euros and then starting the new season with a game against non-league opposition in Farnborough with some pretty bad tackles flying in. It was a real shame to get injured in that game because it was just before the transfer window.

“But, looking back, maybe it was a blessing because I was able to come back here for a season-long loan instead of going somewhere for a couple of months. It gives me longer to put in some performances and help Ipswich to climb up the table.”

Photo: TWTD

hoppy added 07:34 - Oct 28 "I've really enjoyed my time at Ipswich and at times I was playing my best football here under Mick McCarthy." Let's hope that happens again then, as it would be nice to see some decent football played under Mick. Just as well I've got a good memory to know what that even is...
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OwainG1992 added 07:49 - Oct 28 Would love it if we can get a solid 20 games out of Williams! Couple with say 20 or so by Didz gives us a much bigger chance.
3

Surco72 added 07:57 - Oct 28 Is this a challenge to MM . As only yesterday MM said Williams was not fit enough to start ?
5

shakytown added 08:39 - Oct 28 Sorry mate but you are not a diffrent class like Douggie. Real pro is Douggie so it's the bench for you Johnny.
2

Miles added 08:46 - Oct 28 Let's just ignore the negativity for a second and enjoy the fact that we have Lawrence, Williams, Mcgoldrick, Sears and Ward and even Grant all fit at the same time! Lots of technically gifted players who can make things happen all at our disposal. The best thing is this gives us options and hopefully we can rotate as they all won't play every week and maybe this will help prevent injuries.

8

Miles added 08:55 - Oct 28 And I didn't even mention Bish! Creativity shouldn't be a problem. Shouldn't being the key word though!!
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therein61 added 08:57 - Oct 28 They can only be creative if selected!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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beornioblue added 09:38 - Oct 28 can only be a positive update this !!!! Mick please use whats now at your disposal, if you need any more info on how crap "dougie" is then watch that video that came back from Newcastle of him literally trotting around like a dad in the park ...he isnt good enough..and if he keeps out a fit bishop or williams then Mick's cheese really has slipped off the cracker!!
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dirtydingusmagee added 10:42 - Oct 28 trouble is McCarthy has his defensive mindset, will talk Rotherham up and be more worried about losing to bottom club . More likely to build a brick wall in front of Bart.Anything less than 3 points will be unacceptable .
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PortmanTerrorist added 10:46 - Oct 28 Let's not make this about Douglas as anyone that watches us regularly will see he coasts around the midfield never breaking into a full on sprint at any time. And that injection of pace from midfield is one thing JW brings us.....IF he is fit. Douggie got to play himself fit in the 1st team as a chosen one not so long ago, how come different rule for Bishop and Williams?

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RaymondovicBlue added 13:51 - Oct 28 Jonnie B Goode.... And stay fit please!!
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surgery added 18:43 - Oct 28 But will you start? Have you been declared a proper bloke yet? Me thinks you'll have to put in a few more mind boggling knackering shifts first. Don't get above yourself boyo.
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Rudyard83 added 19:38 - Oct 28 Imagine coming to portman road and seeing this team walk out: Bart Emmanuel Webster. Smith. Knudsen . Bishop. Williams Ward. Lawrence . Sears. Mcgoldrick
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