Striker Drinan returns early from Sutton United loan

Aaron Drinan lets fly from distance against Braintree Town Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)

The Irishman, signed from Waterford last January, moved to Sutton in August but has not been able to regularly establish himself in the starting line-up.

He played for the Blues’ Under 23 team at Millwall this afternoon, after being brought back from Gander Green Lane early.

Drinan played 18 National League games, made up of nine starts and nine substitute appearances, without scoring a goal.

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Aaron Drinan is back at Ipswich Town. Picture: ITFC (Image: Archant)

His one goal for the Amber and Yellows was a stoppage-time winner in an FA Cup fourth qualifying round victory over Wealdstone, while he was also successful from the spot as his former club exited the competition on penalties at Slough last week.

Sutton head coach Ian Baird said it was the National League side who decided to end the loan: “The stats say Aaron’s scored one goal in 19, albeit he did very, very well here work-wise and he’s a good young professional, so we had to make that difficult decision.”

He is yet to make his first team debut for the Blues despite receiving glowing reviews from both former manager Mick McCarthy and captain Luke Chambers following his official arrival at the start of the year.

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“When he starts I’m looking forward to seeing him because he has been kicking me left, right and centre and treading on my toes in training. He’d run through that wall if he had to.

“He’s definitely one to look forward to seeing play and I’m looking forward to seeing him involved as soon as possible.

“I think he’s done brilliantly in training and he has shown improvement almost every day. He’s an exciting prospect alright.”