Darren Ambrose will be given the chance to earn a new deal at Ipswich Town, who are expected to complete the season-long loan signing of Arsenal winger Ainsley Maitland-Niles today.

The 31-year-old midfielder, who has scored 12 goals in 55 games for Town over three spells, will train with the Blues this summer.

Ambrose, who left Town in 2003 to join Newcastle for £1m, has also played for Charlton, Crystal Palace, Birmingham and Apollon Smyrni, in Greece.

He re-signed for Town, initially on a short-term contract, last September, and played eight league and cup games as Town made the Championship play-off semi-finals.

Town, who allowed Ambrose to explore his options at the end of the season after the expiration of his contract, have already signed Bournemouth striker Brett Pitman on a permanent deal from Premier League new-boys Bournemouth as well as his team-mate, Ryan Fraser, on a season-long loan.

Meanwhile Maitland-Niles, 17, is expected to be challenging for a first-team spot straight away, though Arsenal are likely to add a recall clause.

Elsewhere, Town managing director Ian Milne has revealed that Mick McCarthy’s playing budget will be strengthened following the sale of Tyrone Mings to Bournemouth, a deal which saw Fraser and Pitman join Ipswich.

Milne said: “We received a substantial amount of money for Tyrone and having spoken to Marcus (Evans) we both realise that it’s important we reinvest that money back into the team.

He added: “Tyrone goes with our best wishes and I’m sure he will do well in the Premier League. Hopefully next season we can join him there.

“To do that we realise we need to give Mick as much backing and support as we can and that is why we will continue to invest in the first-team squad and the Mings sale will substantially help in building that investment.”