x

Lankester Could Miss Blues Reunion - Ipswich Town News

Former Town forward Jack Lankester could miss Saturday’s game between the Blues and his new club Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium.

Lankester, 21, joined the U’s in the summer having been with Town, the club he supports, since he was nine.

The Bury St Edmunds-born player has so far made three starts - one in the league - and three sub appearances without scoring since making his move but head coach Mark Bonner says Lankester could miss out at the weekend.

"He took a bit of a knock last week in training so we just need to see how he is on Thursday and Friday as to whether he is fit and available to be selected,” Bonner told the Cambridge Independent. "He just needs to get a run - a run of games, a run of training.

"Timing has been really difficult for him at the moment to get to his peak. We’re also talking about a boy that had been at Ipswich since he was nine years old and sometimes moving club takes time to settle to get used to the surroundings to get used to a completely different culture and people.”

Bonner added: "We think we’ve got a really good player on our hands there, a really talented player, and we’ve just got to get him settled, used to our way, used to be playing senior football more regularly and he needs a bit of a break really in terms of his body holding up for him so he can get a run of games in training that will allow him to get to peak fitness.

"I think when he does, we will have a player who can win us games. I’m quite looking forward to seeing that.”

Lankester made 13 first-team starts and 17 sub appearances for the Blues, scoring three goals.

What to read next:

Eze Nets Twice as U19s Draw Opener at Czech Tournament
Striker Nelson Eze scored twice as an U19 Town side drew 2-2 with hosts Banik Ostrava in their opening match at the Zlaty Kahan tournament in Czechia yesterday.
Young: Working With McKenna Again Was a Massive Pull
New Blues signing Ashley Young says manager Kieran McKenna played a big part in his decision to join Town having left Everton at the end of last season.
Town Confirm Young Signing
Town have confirmed the signing of veteran former England international Ashley Young on a one-year deal.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Released Forward Roberts Joins Stevenage
Released Blues U21s forward Matty Roberts has joined League One Stevenage following a trial.
Young Close to Completing Town Move
Veteran former England international Ashley Young is close to completing a move to the Blues on a one-year deal.
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.