JOHN Wark was back playing at Portman Road this week.

No, Blues manager Paul Jewell had not called on the former Ipswich Town star to bolster his squad at the age of 53.

But to show that he still has a tremendous appetite for the game, the ex-Scottish international turned out for BBC Radio Suffolk in a lunchtime five-a-side league game on the all-weather pitch behind the main stand.

They played against an ITFC Community Coaches side that included current non-league senior players including Andy Crump.

Wark, who showed just as much relish for the game as during his hey day, does media work for the radio station.

He said: “Sports editor Graeme McLoughlin asked me to play and it was a shame that we lost 2-0. But we played a strong side and it was great fun.”