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."
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