Ex Reading FC trialist in fresh transfer twist as midfielder returns to former club

Former Reading FC trialist Grant Ward is back with his former club Blackpool just a fortnight before the start of the Championship season.

The midfielder was taken on trial by Royals earlier in the summer and spent time with the squad on their training camp at St George's Park. He was then given 45 minutes in the friendly with Benfica, which the Portuguese side won 2-0.

However, his association with Paul Ince's side has come to an end, as he has now returned to the club that let him go at the end of last season.

The 27-year-old, who made just five appearanaces last season for the Seasiders having worked his way back from a serious achilles injury, has been named in Michael Appleton's squad for their friendly against Rangers this afternoon (Saturday).

The Blackpool Gazette report Ward started pre-season with Blackpool, before linking up with Reading. It now appears as if Appleton is giving the former Sunderland and Ipswich Town man a second opportunity to prove himself ahead of the new campaign.

And in a further twist, should Ward sign on the dotted line at Bloomfield Road in the near future, his second debut for the club could well come against Reading on the opening day of the season on Saturday, July 30.