TWTD understands that Darren Ambrose will join up with the Blues squad for the start of pre-season training at Playford Road this morning.
The 31-year-old midfielder was amongst the out-of-contract players not given new terms at the end of the season but told manager Mick McCarthy hadn’t ruled out offering a deal later on in the summer.
West Suffolk-based Ambrose, who rejoined his old club initially on trial in August last year and went on to make three starts and five sub appearances, scoring once, will spend pre-season training with Town and has been given the chance to win what would be a fourth stint at the club.
The Harlow-born midfielder came through the academy ranks at Playford Road and made his senior debut at Arsenal as an 18-year-old close to the end of the Blues' 2001/02 Premier League campaign.
After establishing himself in the Town side after relegation, he was sold less than a year later to Newcastle for £1 million as the club sought to raise cash having gone into administration.
Ambrose subsequently moved to Charlton before rejoining the Blues on loan for two months during the 2008/09 season but failed to win a permanent deal. A spell with Crystal Palace followed before he moved on to Birmingham in July 2012.
Unable to establish himself at St Andrew’s, he spent time on loan with Greek side Apollon Smyrni prior to being released by the Midlands club last summer.
We understand that Noel Hunt, also not immediately offered a new deal at the end of the season, could also return to Playford Road tomorrow, having similarly been offered the chance to join in with pre-season training.
Hunt, 32, joined the Blues initially on loan from Leeds in November 2014 and scored a dramatic debut winner having come on as a sub at Charlton.
After being released by the Whites, he re-signed for the Blues on a short-term deal in January and in total made three starts and nine sub appearances, scoring three goals.
The other three players in the same position as Ambrose and Hunt - Paul Anderson, Stephen Hunt and Richard Chaplow - are not expected to return to the club.
Joining up with the squad for the first time today will be Arsenal youngster Ainsley Maitland-Niles, whose signing on a season-long loan is close to being formalised.
Meanwhile, reported Town target Koby Arthur has signed a new contract with his current club Birmingham City.
Elsewhere, former Blues left-back Aaron Cresswell has signed a new five-year deal with West Ham. The 25-year-old, who enjoyed a hugely successful first season at Upton Park, winning the Hammer of the Year award, had been linked with Manchester City and Chelsea.
Wolves and Leeds United are reported to have had bids for ex-Blues loanee Chris Wood accepted by Leicester City. The offers are variously claimed to be anywhere between £1 million and £2.5 million.
QPR are also said to be interested in the 23-year-old New Zealand international, who made three starts and five sub appearances for Town last season.