CONNOR Wickham hopes it won’t be long before he returns to Portman Road as a visiting player in a Premier League match.

The 18-year-old striker popped back to Playford Road last Friday to say goodbye to his former team-mates and coaching staff after sealing an �8.1m move to top-flight Sunderland.

The England Under-21 international, who could well start at Liverpool on the opening day of the season, said: “I have been at Ipswich since I was 11 so I’m sad to leave but I feel I am ready to take the step up.

“Everyone at Ipswich has been brilliant to me. The coaches, the players, the fans. I want to thank them all for the help they have given me down the years.

“Looking back at my time in the first-team, I’ve had some memorable moments. My debut was special, scoring the hat-trick against Doncaster, the goal against Sheffield United but the one that sticks out is scoring the winner against Scunthorpe a couple of years ago. It was the whole occasion, the way it happened. Getting the winner 30 seconds from the end, still being 16 at the time. It was my first goal. Just a great moment for me.

“I have enjoyed the craic with the lads as well and I want to wish the club all the best for next season. I’d love to come back soon and play again at Portman Road against an Ipswich team in the Premier League.”

Meanwhile, Town manager Paul Jewell will continue to rebuild his squad this week.

The Liverpudlian said last week that he is aiming to add two more new faces to his squad this week with one possibly signing as soon as tomorrow.

A move for Hull City’s Jimmy Bullard, the man who shone on loan at the back end of last season, could yet be reprised, while the experienced Lee Bowyer – a free agent having been released by Birmingham City – is also said to be on the club’s radar.