BREATHLESS Darren Ambrose may have been shocked at the new training regime at Portman Road but has quickly adapted.

Derek Davis

BREATHLESS Darren Ambrose may have been shocked at the new training regime at Portman Road but has quickly adapted.

Ambrose is already feeling at home, which is no surprise really as he first joined Ipswich as an 11-year-old and has played alongside Tommy Miller, Pablo Counago, Richard Wright, and Richard Naylor for Ipswich and Kevin Lisbie at Charlton.

Pinging balls through for Lisbie, as he used to do for Darren Bent is a proven practice while Ambrose is also looking forward to playing off the clever hold up play that he used to do with Pablo Counago.

Ambrose said: “Everyone is good technically. I knew Lisbie from playing at Charlton and he is the nearest to a Benty as he likes to get beyond and is a strong lad so hopefully he can score from balls through.

“The hold up play from some of the others can help me running through from midfield.

“I scored nine last year, which was second top at Charlton in a bad season.

“I would like to get a few more than that with Ipswich and make it a good season.”

Ambrose has already moved into a house on the outskirts of Ipswich, where ex-goalkeeper Neil Sullivan used to live, and has quickly fallen into line under Jim Magilton's regime.

He said: “Hopefully I can fit in really well. The squad looks fantastic in training, they look confident and sharp and the manager has installed a good passing game.

“It would be good to be able to fit in and weigh in with a few goals myself.

“The training is very sharp and very high intensity which took me a bit by surprise but I feel I have got used to that.

“I hope to show that by fitting into the team quickly.

“There is a lot of competition here and it is an exciting times for Ipswich and I'm glad to be part of it.”

Although initially a loan spell until January it is expected Ambrose will sign from cash-strapped Charlton for around £250,000 in January.

Ironically it was a cash shortage at Portman road that necessitated his move from town to Newcastle five year's ago and a failed takeover at the Valley meant Ambrose's move out was hastened, much to manager Alan Pardew's chagrin.

Ambrose said: “I got on really well with Alan.

“If I wasn't in the team he would tell me why and I like that in a manager and I have a lot of respect for him.

“We had a chat on the final day and he was a bit sad I was going but circumstances down there meant it had to be and there is no better place for me to come to than Ipswich.”

The academy graduate is still in touch with some of the Ipswich lads he grew up with mainly matt Bloomfield, who is at Wycombe Wanderers and Guy Bonwick.

A rejuvenated Darren Bent was his best man at his wedding in America and is Godfather to his daughter Jessica.

Ambrose said: “I spoke with Benty during the week and he is flying.

“Harry Redknapp has come in and turned it around so it is amazing. Benty has scored seven goals for them and is loving it.

“Benty is Benty. Put him in front of goal and he will score. The confidence around the team before meant they weren't creating chances but Harry has installed that confidence and he is scoring again.”

Just as Ambrose hopes his confidence will soar once more and the goals and assist will flow for the Blues again.