Ipswich Town will spend this summer aiming to bounce back from their disappointing Championship season by laying the groundwork for an immediate to the second tier.

Paul Lambert's side saw their relegation confirmed in mid-April and are now preparing for their final game in the Championship against Leeds United on Sunday before they drop down to League One.

But despite the inevitable disappointment of this season, one Ipswich youngster has vowed he is hungry for success next season after missing a large bulk of this campaign through injury.

Jack Lankester has been out of action since January when he suffered a stress fracture in his back, heavily restricting his contribution this season.

The winger only made his first-team debut in October, but he made a sizeable contribution in the middle part of season before he was struck by the injury.

The 19-year-old has been greatly missed by the Tractor Boys, but it now appears he will be ready to contribute to the club's pre-season campaign as they plot a second-tier return.

"The recovery is going well and I have my final scan next week," Lankester told the club website.

"I'll be honest when I picked up the injury I didn't expect to be out this long, but in the long term it will serve me well.

"My aim now is to get my fitness back up to what it was before, and make sure I am raring to go for the start of pre-season. I want to hit the ground running."

Lankester, who has been in the club's academy since 2006, made 11 appearances before his campaign was cut short this season.

The Verdict

It will come as good news to Ipswich fans that Lankester is edging towards a return.

He is still very young, and could form a big part of Ipswich's promotion push next season if he is fit.

He possesses the youth and exuberance that can help the Tractor Boys to forge a fresh identity in the third tier.