HE was in the heart of the Blues defence that conceded seven against Peterborough United.

But Jack Ainsley’s powers of recovery from a confidence-shattering 90 minutes have done enough to impress Paul Jewell and earn a new contract.

The Town manager confirmed yesterday that he had offered local lad Ainsley a new 18-month deal– a massive vote of confidence for the 21-year-old who hasn’t played for the first team since the London Road horror show.

Ainsley signed a six-month contract in the summer, which expires next month, and was originally included on the pre-season tour to the Netherlands.

He started in the Carling Cup defeat to Northampton and then came in for injury-hit Ipswich as a somewhat makeshift centre-back in the 7-1 mauling by Peterborough. Before and after that dark day, the Ipswich-born player has been an unused sub in seven other matches and has clearly impressed Jewell in training.

The Town boss said he would be making a decision on fellow youngster Jamie Griffiths in the next few days.