A rising star of Ipswich Town’s academy, David October has every right to have a spring in his step, having returned to full fitness.

The 18-year-old, a surprise scorer in the Blues’ 2-1 pre-season victory at Gillingham on Tuesday, suffered an ankle injury that kept him out for four months last season.

However, through a combination of sheer determination, help from Town physio Jimmy Reynolds and a spell at Pipers Vale Gymnastics Club in Ipswich, the Cambridgeshire-born left-back revealed he is fitter than ever.

The youngster, who signed his first professional contract with the club earlier this year, said: “I have been working very hard with the altitude mask at the club, and also with Andy and Elaine Wood at the (Pipers Vale) gymanstics centre because I twisted my ankle quite badly and I was out for four months.

“Along with Jimmy Reynolds, they have managed to get me ready for the start of pre-season and I feel as fit as I have ever been.

“They are lovely people and so supportive at Pipers Vale and it’s a great connection that club has built with them.

“It’s great to be able to use their facilities and have their expertise and it has been a really good summer.

“I was doing a lot of plyometric work to strengthen the ligaments and also they helped me to strengthen my core.

“I thought my core was good but you go to a gymnastics club and they make you look a fool. I have improved a lot physically.”

The former long-jumper, who won a national silver medal at under-14 level, almost gave up football for athletics, but is happy to have stuck with the sport.

“I love football and it was my passion so I just had to go for it and it is coming off so far,” he added.

“This is a huge year for me and I am aiming to improve throughout the season, continue to put in the extra work and hopefully impress Mick McCarthy and Terry Connor and get a look in, in the first team.”