Former loanee Luke Varney has signed a contract until the end of the season and will be on the bench for Saturday’s home game against one of his former clubs, Derby County.
Manager Mick McCarthy said: "It’s a deal to the end of the season. I’m absolutely thrilled that he’s recovered from his injury and he’s back to playing and that he’s signed for us and we’ve got him now to the end of the season. And we’ll se what happens beyond that.”
Varney ended last season on loan with the Blues from Blackburn, who released him in the summer.
The 33-year-old suffered a ruptured achilles in the play-off semi-final against Norwich and underwent his with Town over the summer. He recently returned to match action when he played the first 45 minutes of two U21s games.
McCarthy confirmed that Varney, who has been given the number 42 shirt, will be on the bench on Saturday.