Grant Ward is set to appear as a trialist for Ipswich Town in an Under-23 fixture this afternoon, as reported by the East Anglian Daily Times.
Ward has been doing his rehabilitation at the East Anglian outfit on a cruciate ligament injury he picked up on Boxing Day. The Tractor Boys released him in the summer, and in October, Rotherham boss Paul Warne said he was in touch with the winger who is now returning to fitness.
Ward turned down the chance to return to the Millers in the summer, having enjoyed a successful loan spell in the 2015-16 campaign. He declined the option of a return to Rotherham in the hope of securing a deal at a Championship club.
Nonetheless, Warne recently admitted to the press he is still in touch with the former Spurs trainee and remains hopeful of bringing him back to the New York Stadium despite feeling Ipswich may attempt to re-sign him once he’s fully recovered.
However, Ipswich boss Paul Lambert recently dismissed the idea of a return for the winger potentially leaving the door open for the Millers to swoop.
The twenty-four-year-old made a great impression in South Yorkshire during his previous stint, clocking up forty-three appearances in a torrid season that saw them employ three different managers in their ultimately successful attempt to avoid relegation from the Championship.
Alan Stubbs then tried to sign him permanently, but he chose Ipswich instead and left Tottenham for Portman Road in a deal reported to be worth £600,000.
The report claims Freddie Sears is also due to make an appearance in the game in the next stage of his long-awaited return from his own serious injury in a massive boost to the Tractor Boys League One promotion push.
Our View
Ipswich and Rotherham might both miss out on a player who’s made no secret of his desire to play in the Championship.
Much will depend on his fitness, but it seems likely if he can prove he’s ready to play, a Championship club might take a punt on him until the end of the season.
