The prospect of working with Joe Royle again is what persuaded David Unsworth to drop down from the Premiership to join Town - and now he intends to help his old boss to promotion.

The 31-year-old defender has arrived at Portman Road from Portsmouth on loan until the end of the season and met up with his new team-mates at the training ground for the first time this morning.

David worked under Joe's management in their three years together at Everton and that's a spell that the player has fond memories of.

David Unsworth - looking for promotion

"The main attraction for me coming to Ipswich was the chance to work with Joe again," the versatile defender told Ipswich World.

"I know Joe and Willie Donachie very well from our days together at Everton and had great times under their management.

"They know me inside out and hopefully we can enjoy our time together here at Ipswich as well."

The former West Ham player admitted he was surprised that Portsmouth had allowed him to leave on loan but was looking forward to his time in a Town shirt.

"The move came out of the blue really. The two chairman did the deal and I was told I could go which caught me out a bit," said David, who joined Portsmouth from Everton in the summer.

"I got injured after the new manager came in at Portsmouth and was on the sidelines for three or four weeks and when I returned to fitness, the team was doing okay and it was hard to break back into the side.

"But what has happened this season at Portsmouth has been like a soap opera and it will be nice to come to a club where it's a bit quieter off the pitch and we can just concentrate on playing football.

"I know a few of the lads here, Jim Magilton and Kevin Horlock are two I've played against a few times and I'm looking forward to training with the players this week and hopefully playing my part on Saturday.

"I'm here until the end of the season and hopefully I can play a role in helping Ipswich win promotion to the Premiership.

"After that, I'm not sure what my future will be. A lot will depend on what Portsmouth say."