Fabian Wilnis says that he had clear-the-air talks with manager George Burley last week after returning to Portman Road for pre-season training. The Dutchman fell out with the Town boss after reacting angrily to being substituted in the UEFA Cup match in Helsingborg and was subsequently offered a free transfer.

Now it appears that the Dutchman's position at Portman Road is more secure after the two settled their differences: "It was a very good chat and I certainly feel a lot happier about my future with Ipswich, " he told the Colchester Gazette.

"We both said everything that's been bothering us and we've agreed to wipe the slate clean and start again.

"What's happened before is in the past now. We're going to start afresh and hopefully that means me playing a bigger role next season."

The full-back underwent a hernia operation over the summer which he says is still hampering him: "It's still a little bit stiff but I've started running again and hope to be able to play on our pre-season tour to Denmark.

"I'm really excited about the season ahead because, with our squad, we've got every chance of going straight back up."

Wilnis, 31, has another two years left on his Portman Road contract.

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