Loan star in return bid

Former Ipswich Town midfielder Jamie Griffiths is on the verge of returning to AFC Sudbury as David Batch continues to build his Ryman League squad.

The 21-year-old was one of five trialists to play a part in the Ryman North club's opening pre-season friendly against Lowestoft Town on Tuesday night.

The former Great Cornard schoolboy played 11 times for the Suds in 2011-12 following his release by the Championship's Tractor Boys. Griffiths made one substitute League Cup appearance for Ipswich and also played nine times for Plymouth Argyle while on loan in League Two.

Batch, whose side lost 2-0 on Tuesday in his first game in charge, told the Suffolk Free Press: "He is on trial with us at the moment, he is looking for a club and is keen to play here because of the facilities and where he lives and he has a good pedigree.

"He is a way off fitness, he has only been able to train with us a couple of times so far and that showed a little bit, but he is a nice lad and we will see where that goes."

Batch, who played two unnamed French trialists on Tuesday along with midfielder Angelo Harrop, also told the paper's website that defenders Adam Dalby and Nathan Clarke have left the club, along with Russell Pond and Robbie Martin.

Clarke, who had re-signed for the club, was no longer able to commit while London Tube train driver Martin’s work commitments proved a problem. Batch said Dalby's personal circumstances had changed and revealed that he had not been able to make contact with Pond.

* AFC Sudbury Reserves have been accepted into the Suffolk FA Senior Cup.