Ipswich rugby star Lewis Ludlam is determined to win a new contract with Premiership giants Northampton Saints and capped his battle back to fitness as he starred for his club’s ‘A’ team, the Wanderers, in their 38-13 win at Leicester last night.

The former St Joseph’s College schoolboy suffered a pectoral injury as he attempted to impress in Saints’ first pre-season game, against Saracens, in September.

The injury came at the worst possible time for Ludlam, England’s Player of the Tournament at the World Junior Championships earlier this year, who was looking to force his way into contention after a loan spell at Championship side, Coventry, last season, was also disrupted because of injury.

Ludlam, who also attended Kesgrave High School, is out of contract at the end of this season but is desperate to extend his stay at Franklin’s Gardens.

“Off the back of a happy Junior World Cup, it was a bit of a shame to suffer the injury,” said Ludlam recently.

“I suffered a pectoral tendon tear and did it in a tackle against Saracens.

“I felt something twinge and then someone landed on me at the bottom of a ruck and I felt it go, like an elastic band snapping.

“But I smashed my way through the first few weeks of rehab.”

Ludlam was released by Saints as a youngster, only to battle his way back and is now ready to face the biggest fight of his career to date.

“The aim this season is to stay at the club,” added Ludlam, who suffered a broken leg and damaged ankle ligaments whilst playing for Coventry last January.

“It’s time for me to focus on my Saints career rather than being out on loan, and it’s about learning what the club is about, picking up what we do at the club.

“You can learn a lot from the older players but it is still a huge step-up and another bridge to cross, making the transition from National 1 Rugby to Premiership or Championship rugby.”