Tyreece John-Jules is set to return to Ipswich Town from Arsenal in the next couple of weeks, as he steps up his return from injury.

After making regular appearances for Ipswich Town on loan from Arsenal in the first few months of the season, Tyreece John-Jules picked up a serious hamstring injury ruling him out from November to February.

Missing three months of action, John-Jules returned to Arsenal to work on his rehabilitation. But he’s now approaching the point where he’ll be ready to return to Ipswich.

Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna confirmed John-Jules’ progress in an interview this week.

“We’re hoping he’ll join us in the next week or two,” McKenna said.

“He’s having a last check-in with the surgeon to make sure they’re happy with everything but he’s progressing well.

“He’s still Arsenal at the moment but all being well he’ll return to us in the next week or two and start to progress onto some more work out the on the pitch.

“I think anyone would miss him to be honest. At this level I think he’s such a good player and those qualities are hard to find, so anyone would miss him. We certainly missed him.”

McKenna went on to suggest that it’s not just on the pitch where Ipswich are missing John-Jules, with the player also proving a popular character behind the scenes.

“I think he was incredibly settled here and was a really, really popular part of the group from the first week he was here really. So I think the players have really missed having him around.

“He’s such a positive and likable person and they’re looking forward to having him in the building.”

John-Jules will be returning to an Ipswich squad that now contains his former Arsenal academy teammate Harry Clarke, with Clarke joining the East Anglian side on a permanent deal in January.

Ipswich are in the midst of a promotion push, six points off the automatic promotion places but a favourite to make the play-offs, given they currently sit in third.

If John-Jules’ return can inspire them to end the season with the step up to the Championship, he could help make it a successful loan despite his injury.