Westlake is back in the old routine

Ian Westlake

IAN WESTLAKE, who has swopped a scrap against relegation for a tilt at promotion from Coca-Cola League One, is relishing his “exciting” new challenge.

The 25-year-old midfield player can hardly believe the turnabout in his fortunes after being reunited with Joe Royle, the manager who handed him his league debut at Ipswich Town.

Westlake, who completed a loan move to Athletic from bottom-club Cheltenham Town for the rest of the season, enjoyed the most successful chapter of his career under Royle at Portman Road.

He said: “We won a lot and I enjoyed my football when I played for Joe at Ipswich.

“I am excited to be here and to have the chance to work with Joe again.

“We also know that with a couple of good results we will be back in the play-off places.

“I have appeared in the Championship play-off semi-finals at Ipswich. They were big games and we never made it to Cardiff.

“Now the finals are back at Wembley, it would be great if we were to go all the way because I want to get back to playing in the Championship.”

Westlake, who joined Cheltenham from Leeds in October, has endured a season of contrasting emotions and fortunes.

“It was disappointing at Cheltenham where we were battling to stay in League One,” he admitted.

“I was playing some good football and getting back to where I wanted to be, but results were not going our way.”

Westlake has certainly made his mark at Boundary Park where he scored a dramatic injury-time winner for Leeds United in their 1-0 victory over Athletic last season.

But his career at Leeds went downhill after the departure of manager Denis Wise.

“Gary McAllister took over and I didn't play one game for him,” said Westlake.

“I wasn’t even training with the first team. I asked him why, but didn’t get an answer.

“I needed to get my career started again and Martin Allen was kind enough to say come and play for him at Cheltenham.”

Westlake believes Royle doesn’t overcomplicate football and is a great man-manager.

“Joe knows my strengths,” said Westlake. “He reminds me of them and tells me to concentrate on what I am good at.”

Westlake was taken aback by the speed of his move to Boundary Park.

He had been due to travel to Oldham last Wednesday night, but his boots had been taken to Exeter for a reserve-team match even though he was not down to play.

Westlake had to wait until the team returned to collect them and left Gloucestershire at 6am on Thursday to drive to Oldham to complete the formalities.

Royle has monitored Westlake’s career since he left Ipswich and said: “We have talent in midfield, but lack running power which is why I have brought in Ian.

“He went from being a young reserve to being player of the year in his first season at Ipswich.”