Defender Alex Bruce says he never had any intention of leaving Town, despite turning down a new contract in January. The former Birmingham man put pen to paper on a new two-year deal earlier today.

Bruce told the club site: "I never wanted to leave the club and it was always my hope that a deal could be sorted out.

"I sat down and spoke to the manager and Simon Clegg last week and liked their ideas and plans for the club.

"It's a new regime and the owner clearly has made a statement of his ambitions for Ipswich Town by bringing in someone like Roy Keane to be manager here.

"It's an exciting time for the club and I'm delighted to be part of it. The aim is clear - to get Ipswich Town back in the Premier League. That is why I came here in the first place."

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls