x

Ainsley to Return to Preston - Ipswich Town News

TWTD understands that Blues right-back Jack Ainsley is set to return to Preston North End for a second trial spell this week. Ainsley, who spent time with Bury last week, was previously at Deepdale a fortnight ago.

The 22-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and seems certain to move on in the summer.

He initially travelled to Preston to train with the League One side in mid-January but was with the Lancastrians only very briefly, Leeds full-back Paul Connolly having joined their squad on loan. However, the Lilywhites are looking for a longer term addition to their squad.

The Felixstowe-born defender, who won England U17 caps as a striker when in the Town academy, was close to joining Capital One Cup finalists Bradford earlier in the season but the move was halted when the change of manager took place at Portman Road with new boss Mick McCarthy keen to look at all the players at his disposal.

Ainsley made his only league start for the Blues against Huddersfield in August and other than that has made only two sub appearances this season, one in the Capital One Cup.

In total, he has made five starts and three sub appearances for the club where both his father George and brother Stuart were previously youth players.

After coming through the ranks of the Town academy, he made his senior debut in the 2009/10 season and has also spent time on loan with Histon and Rushden and Diamonds.

Meanwhile, striker Ronan Murray, who is on loan at Plymouth until the end of the season when his Blues contract is up, says he may have to move on on a permanent basis: "Ipswich Town is a fantastic club. I have been there nearly six years now and I know how big a club it is.

"Ideally I would like to play week in, week out, impress Mick McCarthy and stay there for years to come, but if that does not work then I may have to look elsewhere.

"I wanted to get out and play games and it is nice to know when someone wants you. I have been training every day with the reserves so when the opportunity came along to go to Plymouth, I took it."

What to read next:

Former Town Youth Coach Owen Dies
Former Town youth coach Brian Owen has died, aged 80.
Emmanuel-Thomas Joins AFC Totton
Ex-Town forward Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has joined National League South AFC Totton following his release from prison on parole.
Young Watches Son as U21s Beat Needham
Former England star and apparent Town target Ashley Young watched his son Tyler feature as a trialist for Town's U21s on Tuesday evening as they beat 10-man Needham Market 2-1 at Bloomfields in a pre-season friendly.
Young Watching Town U21s at Needham
Veteran former England international Ashley Young is watching Town’s U21s in friendly action at Needham Market with his son Tyler on trial with John McGreal’s squad.
Blues Beaten By Hammers in Behind Closed Doors Friendlies
Town played two 60-minute behind-closed-doors friendlies with West Ham United at their Rush Green training ground this afternoon.
Halajko New Director of Football Operations, Chenery Appointed Academy Manager
Dmitri Halajko, previously Town’s academy director, has been appointed the new director of football operations, TWTD having revealed Gary Probert’s departure for a job at Liverpool a fortnight ago, while Ben Chenery has been named academy manager.
Town Women Sign Striker Dean
Ipswich Town Women have signed striker Rianna Dean following her Southampton exit at the end of last season.
Chaplin: Opener at Birmingham One to Look Forward To
Ipswich Town’s season opener against Birmingham City is a clash that the whole squad are looking forward to, according to forward Conor Chaplin.
Fourteen Sign Contracts Ahead of WSL2 Campaign
Town have confirmed that 14 players have signed new contracts with the women’s side for the WSL2 season ahead.
U21s in Action at Needham
Town’s U21s are in friendly action against Southern League Premier Division Central side Needham Market at Bloomfields this evening (KO 7.45pm).