Jon Nolan is hopeful his third spell working under Ipswich manager Paul Hurst will be as productive as the first two.

The creative midfielder first linked up with the Blues boss in 2016, playing a key role in Grimsby’s promotion to the Football League at the end of that campaign, before becoming a driving force as Hurst’s Shrewsbury reached last season’s League One Play-Off Final.

Now the two are reunited in Suffolk, with Nolan hopeful of success once again.

“When I signed for Grimsby it was the big turning point in my career,” Nolan said. “We were successful and obviously went to Wembley to win and go up. That would have to be the turning point.

“It was in the back of my mind. I’d had two good spells under the gaffer, not only at Shrewsbury but at Grimsby before that, and in the back of my mind I was hoping something might happen. When the call eventually came I was delighted. “I’d had two good spells under the gaffer, not only at Shrewsbury but at Grimsby before that, and in the back of my mind I was hoping something might happen. When the call eventually came I was delighted.

“I’ve always enjoyed my time working with him. I know managers always say their door is always open but his actually is.

“I’ve played for other managers in the past where that’s not been the case. With Paul I can have a laugh and a joke with him, but I always remember that he’s the boss.

“From working with him in the past I sort of know all the ideas he has and hopefully that will enable me to settle in faster and we can get our first three points on the board quite quickly.”

Nolan is likely to make his Ipswich debut at Rotherham on Saturday, with the 26-year-old expecting the Championship to be a big step up from his time in League One.

“Stepping up to the Championship is going to be tough,” he admitted.

“The players are going to be better and they will be sharper. I’ve got a few friends who play in the Championship and I’ve been speaking to them, to see what I’m going to be dealing with.

“If I’m selected on Saturday I’ll be fit and raring to go.”