Ipswich Town’s Janoi Donacien joined Accrington Stanley on loan in January.
Ipswich Town defender Janoi Donacien has shared how manager Paul Lambert didn’t want to stall his career and told him to go out and get some game-time during the January transfer window, East Anglian Daily Times report.
“Paul Lambert told me that straightaway, that he wouldn’t stall my career, and that he wanted me to just get out there and play games. He was clear with me that he wanted me to play because I wasn’t involved at Ipswich,” Donacien explained.
Donacien joined the Tractor Boys from Accrington Stanley last summer but initially on loan as there were issues with his work permit. He was in and out of the team under former manager Paul Hurst.
Upon Paul Lambert’s arrival as Hurst’s successor, question marks were raised over Donacien’s future, yet Ipswich proceeded with the transfer and signed the versatile defender for a reported £750,000.
Many tipped the St Lucia-born defender to then start featuring more regularly at Portman Road but instead he found himself re-joining Accrington weeks after both Lambert’s arrival and his permanent transfer secured.
Donacien is expected to return to Portman Road this summer, and he admits he wants to have further conversations with Lambert as he sets his sights on a long-term stay at Ipswich.
The 25-year-old has been a regular for Accrington since re-joining on loan. The League One minnows are currently 17th in the table, two points above the drop zone with several teams in danger of relegation.
Ipswich, meanwhile, are bottom of the Championship and 13 points adrift of safety. With League One football likely next season, Donacien could find first-team opportunities at Portman Road easier to come by.
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