Walters: No-Brainer to Return to Club Which Was Turning Point in Career Thursday, 30th Aug 2018 18:56 Returning loanee Jon Walters says it was a no-brainer to return to the Blues, citing his previous spell at Portman Road as the turning point in his career. Boss Paul Hurst says the 34-year-old, who rejoined the Blues this afternoon from Burnley on loan until January, has an edge to his game that he likes. “There was interest last week and the owner rang me up and when someone that important at a club rings you up and shows an interest, it was a no-brainer really for me," Walters told iFollow Ipswich. "There was interest from other clubs, but it was a no-brainer. “I’ve still got a lot of friends in the area, still came down regularly to see people, just ready to go now. “I know the club’s not in a great position but it’s only early days and the signs are good and I’m here to help. “I could have stayed and not played and tried to force my way in at Burnley. That wasn’t happening. “But I want to play games, that’s what I’m all about and still hungry to do well and impress and hopefully I’ll do that come the weekend.” Walters made the move from the lower leagues into the Championship when he signed from Chester for £150,000 in January 2007 having faced the Blues in two FA Cup ties for the Seals earlier that month. “I’ve had the highs and lows all the way through my career,” Walters reflected. “Coming here was a turning point for me. It gave me a great opportunity from Chester. “I can see a lot of the lads here are in the same mould and I see no reason why they all couldn’t go down the same route and excel here because as a club it’s got everything. “It’s an unbelievably supported club. It’s got all the facilities you need, some of the staff here from when I was here at the training ground, coaching staff as well and a good young manager, so it’s got everything you need to progress in their careers and hopefully they will do.” Looking ahead to Sunday’s derby at home to Norwich, he says it’s a great match to get his second spell started. “It is, and and an ideal opportunity to turn the season around,” he added. “I’ve looked at the games and it’s not been far away. A bad decision here and there and a couple of sloppy mistakes and that’s it, every game’s been close. “A good one to get the right result from at home. Definitely one to get the three points in.” Walters says he’s fit and raring to go after a frustrating time at Turf Moor: “I’ve been fine for a while now, just not involved [for Burnley]. I played one Europa League game, but for whatever reason my face doesn’t fit so I’m ready to go and hungry to do well.” Manager Paul Hurst is delighted to have added a senior pro like Walters to his largely youthful squad. “Good player,” he said. “We’ve spoken internally about how a little bit of experience wouldn’t go amiss but at the same time they’ve got to be good enough players. “We’ve brought in a lot of players who are making the step upwards and I just felt that he’s one that could maybe help those lads along the way. “I feel like we’ve got a couple of good players here anyway in terms of senior lads but at the minute I felt a lot of [responsibility] has fallen on Luke Chambers’s shoulders and I think bringing someone like Jon in will help on that side. “But it’s not just bringing him as a father figure, I’m bringing him in to play football and contribute and I know the reason for him wanting to join is to get playing football again, otherwise he could quite easily stay at Burnley be part of their squad. “Speaking to him, I was very impressed with how he came across and doing your background research, everyone speaks well of him. I think he’s a good guy but he’s also got an edge to him when he plays, which I like and I want.” Does he feel Walters is ready to be included on Sunday? “I think speaking to him, I’m sure he’d love to be involved. We’ll have a little look. “He is fit, he’s done all the pre-season over there, so he’ll give me something to think about once we’ve had him in and seen him in training.”
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