'A real shame' but 'back on track' - Ipswich expert view on Conor Townsend before West Brom return

Conor Townsend is ready to get his career back on track with a move to Albion, predicts Ipswich Town expert Stuart Watson.

The experienced left-back, 33, is having a medical on Friday ahead of a returning to the Baggies two years after he departed the club for Suffolk.

The second half of Townsend’s two years with the Tractor Boys was marred by an ACL injury suffered in pre-season in France on the eve of last season.

Townsend, who spent six years with Albion, did not feature for a single minute in the Championship. He made 10 appearances in his first season under former boss Kieran McKenna, including six in the Premier League - three as a starter.

The full-back was one of several ex-Baggies defenders, as well as two goalkeeper, who made the well-trodden move to Ipswich. Darnell Furlong, Cedric Kipre and Dara O’Shea, alongside Alex Palmer and David Button, all moved to Portman Road.

Town correspondent Watson, who writes for the East Anglian Daily Press, said of the left-back this summer: "It was a real shame for Conor Townsend - one of the many former West Brom defenders that came to Ipswich under Kieran McKenna.

"At (around) half-a-million pounds he looked a really solid, smart back-up to Leif Davis.

"He didn't get loads of game time in the Premier League. He started three games, the home draw against Villa - which was a draw.

"He started the away win at Bournemouth and the defeat at Wolves, as well.

"He just looked ready when called upon, reliable when called upon, had a few cup games as well.

"By all accounts he was a solid guy behind the scenes as well, in terms of leadership and personality.”

Townsend was recruited as back-up and competition to one of Ipswich’s star men, former Leeds left-back Davis.

But any hope of sharing the load of a demanding Championship campaign last season went up in smoke almost 12 months ago when the Humber-born Townsend went down with the serious knee injury.

Townsend will play second-fiddle to another star left-back, Albion’s Callum Styles, who has been a reliable regular at The Hawthorns ever since he replaced Townsend in 2024. Styles was two-time player of the season award winner last term.

Watson added of Townsend’s time at Portman Road: “Last summer in France, right on the eve of the season out in Auxerre, suffered that ACL injury and that was him done for the season.

"They couldn't give him a slot in the 25-man squad. He's been back in the latter stages of rehab from March so is hopefully in a good place physically to get a new club and get his career back on track.

"It was a shame the way it worked out for Conor Townsend, but what is clear is Ipswich need to get themselves a proper back-up left-back or somebody to keep him on his toes."