IPSWICH-born Jack Ainsley has signed a new contract that will keep him at his hometown club until the summer of 2013.

But his next step to impressing manager Paul Jewell will be to go out on loan, according to the 21-year-old.

Ainsley was initially told to prove himself after being given a six-month deal by Paul Jewell and he has impressed sufficiently to earn the extended contract.

He said: “Obviously I’m delighted to have agreed a new contract. The fact that it’s for 18 months, which is longer than I have signed before, is a confidence booster. The manager has shown a lot of faith in me and now I want to repay him.

“He has told me that he’d like to get me out on loan in January so I can play some competitive games and then come back to the club and start pushing for a place in the summer.

“It’s down to me now to show the manager that I should be in his plans.”

The former Academy player made his debut against Shrewsbury in the Carling Cup in August 2009 before making his full league debut in the 7-1 thrashing by Peterborough United in August.

Despite being tainted by the televised drubbing, Ainsley’s response has clearly impressed Jewell.

The Town boss said: “Jack has been terrific. He was a bit unlucky to be part of the Peterborough debacle but his attitude has been great – he has done really well in training and reserve matches.

“I gave him six months last year to prove himself and he has certainly earned the right to be offered a new contract.”

Right-back Reece Wabara’s loan spell ends in January and though the Manchester City man has previously talked up his chances of staying at Ipswich, just one start in almost two months might change that.

While many Town fans would like to see Jewell bring in new competition for Carlos Edwards, Ainsley himself might find more first team opportunities in the second half of the season.