He will be one of the new faces in Ipswich Wanderers’ line-up tomorrow, but defender David Head will need no introduction when he takes to the field at home to Diss Town.

The 35-year-old has returned to Thurlow Nunn Premier Division new-boys Wanderers after 12 years away, in which time he played for Harwich & Parkeston, AFC Sudbury – for whom he reached three FA Vase finals – and most recently, Leiston.

Such is the veteran’s quality that Leiston boss Steve Ball tried to persuade Head to remain with the Ryman Premier League club. However, the defender’s mind was made up.

“It’s nice to be back and there is still a lot of people at the club that were there during my first spell, nothing much has changed really,” said Head, whose new club travel to local rivals Whitton United on Tuesday night.

“It’s a lovely, family club and is just five minutes from my home which means my wife and daughter can come and watch me more often.

“It was a big decision but I think my mind was made up though when we found out that my wife was expecting our second child. There would have been a lot of extra travelling involved which would have been tough.”

Head will play a crucial role in Glenn Read’s side this season with the remit at the club being consolidation. Head is confident that Wanderers will hold their own this term.

“We will probably win some and lose some but I am more than confident that we can be in the top-half of the table next season and, if we can add one or two faces, we can push on,” added Head.

“We have done OK in pre-season. We have played teams in lower divisions than us and beat them, but we were taught a bit of a lesson against Leiston who beat us 8-1.

“We did not play that badly but they were clinical and at that level, players will punish you if you give them a chance.

“Pre-season is like that though and I think defeats like that are more beneficial than victories as you can learn from your mistakes.”

Head has been joined by fellow new signings Darcy De’Ath (Whitton United) and Hadleigh United’s Shane Wardley but revealed he did not have the best of starts to pre-season.

“It’s been enjoyable but it didn’t get off to the best start for me as I cracked a couple of ribs at work when I came off a trestle,” revealed Head.

“I missed the first two or three weeks of pre-season but my fitness is coming along. I don’t think you can beat match fitness though.”

Meanwhile, Wanderers’ assistant manager Steve Jay has left the club.