Ipswich Town boss Paul Lambert has refused to rule out a return for former winger Grant Ward, remaining coy on the subject when asked to comment by the East Anglian Daily Times.
The twenty-four-year-old was released by the Tractor Boys in the summer after a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a severe knee injury. He’s now thought to be close to reaching full fitness, prompting speculation over his future.
Lambert said this on the situation when asked to comment by the local paper: ‘Wardy’s situation is what it is, it’s the same as Freddie (Sears). The two lads have done great to be knocking the ball about again and it’s a big mental barrier, getting over that. Let the lads get rehabbed the right way; there is no pressure, so we’ll wait and see.’
Rotherham boss Paul Warne is also keeping tabs on Ward’s progress. The free-agent enjoyed a successful loan spell at the Millers early in his career, making forty-three appearances in the 2015-16 campaign.
Local reports suggest the free-agent turned down the chance of a permanent move to South Yorkshire in the summer in order to try and earn a Championship contract when fit, but the Millers boss recently revealed he’s in touch with Ward and would love to re-sign him, although with the winger still training at Portman Road, he felt a move back to Ipswich would be more likely.
Ward began his career at Spurs but left without making a senior outing for the North London giants. Ipswich signed him from Spurs for a fee reported to be in the region of £600,000 in 2016 and he went on to make ninety-eight appearances for the East Anglian outfit, scoring ten goals, which included a memorable hat-trick on his debut.
The versatile midfielder has not played since he was stretchered off during Ipswich’s 3-0 defeat to QPR at Loftus Road on Boxing Day last year.
Our View
Ward would be a massive player in League One, and both sets of fans would love to see him return.
On the face of it, Ipswich must be favourites, but the ambitious Ward may still want to pursue his ambition of Championship football, and he may not be short of suitors if he can prove his fitness.
