DARREN Ambrose has returned to Charlton Athletic and will not be extending his stay with Ipswich Town.

Elvin King

DARREN Ambrose has returned to Charlton Athletic and will not be extending his stay with Ipswich Town.

The 24-year-old midfielder has been on loan at Portman Road since November making nine appearances and failing to score a goal.

If Ambrose, who joined Town straight from school before being sold to Newcastle United for

£1million in March 2003, had made a better impression on his return Blues manager Jim Magilton would have seriously considered taking him on full time.

But Ambrose was told yesterday that he will not be staying with Town - leaving Magilton to search elsewhere for midfield additions during the January transfer window.

“We have not seen the best of Darren,” said Magilton.

“His loan move did not work out as both he and ourselves had hoped for.”

Ambrose, who is soon to become a father for the second time, offered balance on the left side of the pitch, but was replaced by Alan Quinn for the last three matches.

Bryan Klug's presence on the first team bench from now on is by no means certain following confirmation that John Gorman is joining the Blues as assistant manager.

Klug has been first team coach since Magilton was appointed in June 2006, and they were seen as a dream team.

But Klug, who successfully ran Ipswich's famed academy before linking up with Magilton, will now be used across the board coaching senior players, youngsters and at academy level.

He will be responsible for the development of Town's youngsters - a role he flourished in before and one where he can still be a key member of the coaching staff.

Steve Foley will stay as technical skills coach and is expected to continue to concentrate on first team matters.

Gorman's experience and temperament can help maintain a harmonious dressing room, and Town fans will remember with relish the attractive nature of the Blues play when Gorham held a similar post under George Burley in 1998/99.

He was enticed away then to link up again with long-term friend Glenn Hoddle, but is happy to return and his tactical know-how and calm head is seen by the decision makers at Portman Road as the way forward in partnership with Magilton.

Reports linking 59-year-old Gorman with Ipswich first appeared at the weekend, and last night chief executive Derek Bowden confirmed the appointment.

He said: “Jim has been speaking to John over the last few weeks and it's all been agreed.

“It's only a case of finalising the paperwork now, which should be done on tomorrow (Wednesday) and then John will be with us as assistant manager.”

Magilton was a member of the playing staff when Gorman was with the Blues before.

Gorman, who has been working at the Hoddle Academy in Spain, has been at Town's training ground in Playford Road this week and has already met the players and the rest of the coaching staff.

Gorham, who previously manager Swindon, was chief scout under Burley at Southampton and briefly acted as caretaker manager after Burley took the Scotland job.

Striker Andy Carroll has again been linked with a move to Ipswich from Newcastle United. A fee of around £500,000 could well gain the signature of the player currently out of favour at St James Park.