ANTHONY Wordsworth has declared himself ready for first-team action after making a successful comeback in Ipswich Town’s under-21 game on Monday.

The 24-year-old, who cracked three vertebrae in his back during his home debut – February’s 1-0 victory against Blackpool – played the full 90 minutes, under the watchful eye of Mick McCarthy, as Town went down 3-2 to Charlton at Portman Road.

After edging ever closer to Championship safety with a 1-0 away win at Derby on Saturday, the Blues now face two home games against promotion-chasers Hull City, on Saturday, and Crystal Palace, next Tuesday.

One more win should be enough to seal the Blues’ place in the second-tier next season, and the former Colchester midfielder is eager to play a part.

“It’s up to the manager to decide. I think I am ready, but he may feel I need another week,” said Wordsworth.

“The game against Charlton was my first 90 minutes since I picked up the injury and that was important for me to get that under my belt.

“I have been training every day and doing extra work on my own. I have been training really hard and I have had no setbacks.

“It has been frustrating but the club’s medical team has been great. I was told I should have been sidelined for a minimum of eight weeks, but I was back training within a month.

“I have been doing bits and pieces in training and it has just been a case of letting the bone heal.”

Meanwhile, Wordsworth insists Monday evening’s setback for the under-21s should be a wake-up call for the young players involved. The likes of Jack Marriott, who scored Town’s second goal, Byron Lawrence, Mark Timlin, Matthew Clarke, Tyrone Mings and Elliott Hewitt, all featured against the Addicks in the Under-21 Professional Development League Two game.

“From a personal point-of-view it was good to play 90 minutes but the result was disappointing,” said Wordsworth.

“With four minutes to go, at any level, you should be seeing the game out.

“Losing has got to hurt them, as has conceding a goal in training.

“The first team would have been dismayed to lose in that manner and the players have got to learn from it.”