Former Blues midfielder desires to return to on-fire Town form at Pompey

Former Blues midfielder Lee Evans thinks he was in the best form of his life with Town last season and is eager to return to action with new club Portsmouth, which he joined on a deal until the summer last week after leaving Portman Road by mutual consent near the conclusion of the transfer window.

Evans, 29, had knee surgery in October after suffering a setback to an already long-standing injury in the previous month’s 1-1 draw against Huddersfield.

The Welshman made 21 League One starts and two substitute appearances as the Blues gained promotion in 2022/23, but was sidelined after February due to a knee injury.

“When I was playing at Ipswich last season I was on fire, probably the form of my life – and I want to get back to that,” Evans said in an interview with The News.

“I had a medial ligament reconstruction in October, which was a large procedure but one that I wanted to have done. It can be treated with shots, but the moment had come.

“I sustained an injury in a tackle at Huddersfield in September. My surgeon and I had already agreed that if it happened again, I should get it done right away to ensure the length of my career.

“It kept me out for approximately 12 weeks at a stretch, and while I was managing it appropriately, it was harming me.

“The only thing on my mind was to get it fixed properly; I was wasting too much time in the treatment room.” It’s a problem that has bothered me for the past few seasons.

“The surgeon said I should have the same knee I had when I was 18, slamming balls everywhere and flying into tackles. So I responded, “Happy days, that sounds good to me!”

“I’m 29, and it’s a critical period in my career; I should be entering my prime as a central midfielder. I see the best years ahead of me, so I’m relieved I’ve resolved this issue.

“It’s a big surgery and it has been a long five months, but now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, I’m happy to be out playing again with no pain.”

Evans joined the Blues after leaving Wigan in the summer of 2021, and he went on to make 55 starts and six substitute appearances, scoring six goals, three of which came in a 6-0 win over Doncaster Rovers early in his debut season.

Reflecting on where he found himself in January, with Town having filled all of the slots in the 25-man senior EFL squad while he was recovering from surgery, he said: “I could have sat there at Ipswich and just picked up my money, but that’s not the character I am; I wanted to play football.

“It was a mutual agreement between me and the manager. I wasn’t going to be on their 25-man roster anyway due to the injury, so I was able to play football elsewhere knowing I’d be back before the conclusion of the season.

“I could have stayed and seen whether we could be promoted, but I had wasted too much time. Then came the opportunity to attend a club like this, for which I am quite grateful.

“I am in full training and have been since I arrived here. They undoubtedly want me to train for another week, but I’m itching and telling the boss that I’m ready and want to go.

“I don’t think they want to put me in danger, so I’ll listen to them, put my head down, work hard, and continue to prove that I’m ready whenever I’m required.

“I am getting there. It’s difficult; it’s been a long time, but I’m not far away. I’m naturally fit and can run all day, so it’s just getting my sharp motions back.”