Ipswich Town - John McGreal on Jack Taylor's return in EFL Trophy | East Anglian Daily Times

The 28-year-old has been out of action since early May, last seen starting a competitive game against QPR as the Blues secured promotion to the Premier League.

He had surgery on a knee ligament injury over the summer, which sidelined him throughout the summer and kept him out for the start of the campaign.

Gary O’Neil revealed last month that he was nearing a return to fitness, and like Azor Matusiwa against Luton Town, the opportunity came about for him to play for the young Blues in the EFL Trophy, returning to face his former club at the Weston Homes Stadium.

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“We had a few boys that went on the camp last week [in Spain], which was an outstanding camp with the first team,” McGreal told the EADT and Ipswich Star after the 4-1 defeat. “They took a lot of the U21s over there.

“There's only been a little bit of integration, and then he literally just came into the team today.

“He got his hour’s work. He got 30 minutes, I think, against Espanyol [1-0 win in a behind-closed-doors friendly], and we’ve upped his minutes today. He got a good 60 minutes against a first team in the EFL.

“Obviously he's a little bit tentative, coming back against a full-on team today. But you could see moments there.

“It’s very similar to Azor a couple of weeks ago. He needs the games, and these games here are perfect for those first-team players coming back from injury.”