DARREN Ambrose has kept the door ajar for a possible return to Ipswich Town.

Derek Davis

DARREN Ambrose has kept the door ajar for a possible return to Ipswich Town.

The Charlton winger is out of contract next summer and as yet has not been offered a new deal at the Valley.

Although completely focused on playing for Charlton right now, Ambrose will be allowed to talk to other clubs from January and Ipswich could be a strong possibility.

Blues boss Jim Magilton has made no secret of his admiration for the 24-year-old and looked at the possibility of taking him on loan.

While Alan Pardew is unlikely to let Ambrose go to a Championship rival now something more permanent could happen next year.

Ambrose said: “It is difficult for me as I've never been in this position with one year left on my contract.

“I'm just looking to go into this year and perform better than I have done over the past few years.

“It is flattering that a man like Jim would say that about me. I have played with him so he knows what kind of player I am.

“Anything can happen in the future but for the moment I'm focused on Charlton and hoping we can do well and we will see.”

Much will depend on what division either club is in next season and even though both are currently in the bottom half, Ambrose believes that will change.

He said: “Ipswich today have some magnificent players and it is looking good for both of us so anything can happen.

“They have enough quality to challenge. Pablo (Counago) for example showed good spirit coming on as he did and I have played with him so I know he has quality.”

One factor in Ambrose not yet being offered a new deal by Charlton is the amount of games he has missed through a long-standing hip injury that has now been sorted.

Ambrose said: “It was playing on my mind. When I went into the op it was worse than they first thought but were able to clear it all up.

“Everyone wants to be playing and I missed the first seven games of this season and a few last year but now I'm looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Magilton has made it clear he would love to bring in a winger, preferably one that can operate on the left and Ambrose showed once again with his performance against Ipswich, just how he could fit the bill.

Although Ambrose played mainly in the right in the Addicks 2-1 win, he is equally comfortable on the left side where he played quite often in his first stint with the Blues.

He also operated on both flanks while at Newcastle United after being bought by Sir Bobby Robson for a cut-price £1m..

Harlow-born Ambrose graduated through the Blues academy after joining the school of excellence at aged 11.

He made his first team debut against Arsenal and almost scored after going on as a late substitute. His first league goal came against Walsall in his first league start on the opening day of the 2002/03 season.

Ambrose made 38 appearances for Town, netting 11 goals, before his switch to Tyneside where he won England Under-21 international honours.

He signed a four-year deal with Charlton in the summer of 2005 after a £1.5m switch from Newcastle.

Town have also been linked with Burnley's Alan Mahon but that is expected to be more of a loan deal if it happens at all.