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."

Photo: Action Images

NITFC added 22:47 - Feb 2 Shame. I like Jack Ainsley. Good luck for the future wherever he ends up
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TractorMan added 22:55 - Feb 2 Nice enough lad, just not good enough for this division i'm afraid. Good luck wherever he ends up!
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WhoisJimmyJuan added 09:23 - Feb 3 Still think he looks like David Norris.
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marco007 added 09:29 - Feb 3 He seems like a nice lad and always gives 100% but I have to be honest and say that defensively he frightens the life out of me. Whenever anyone runs at him, he backs off and is not great at winning headers. If anyone knows a thing or two about defending it is MM and I guess if he had seen enough to work on and develop he would of kept Jack. Good luck in the future and I hope you prove us all wrong.

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i_like_that_bolder added 22:59 - Feb 3 Good point, he does look like Norris, however isn't quite as good as him sadly. Time to let him move on rather than rotting in reserves, can't be fun. Good luck, always nice to see youth products doing ok. As long as not against us.
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