Morsy 'never thought' he would face Ipswich again

New Bristol City signing Sam Morsy says he never thought he would play against his ex-club Ipswich Town just six months after leaving.

The former Ipswich captain won back-to-back promotions as they went from League One to the Premier League but left this summer to join Kuwait SC.

However just three games into his two-year contract in the Middle East Morsy's contract was cancelled and he returned to the Championship with the Robins this month.

Bristol City travel to Ipswich next Tuesday where he could line-up against his former side.

"I never thought I'd play Ipswich again, that wasn't the plan," Morsy told BBC Radio Bristol.

"The plan was to stay in the Middle East for a number of years but six months later you're back. It's life, it's football – it's a cliche. I didn't expect to go back there, it'll be amazing to go back."

Morsy, an Egypt international who is a Muslim, said he had "always wanted" to play football in the Middle East and live in a Muslim country.

While his time in Kuwait "ticked so many boxes" the 34-year-old added it was not what he expected.

"It was very different from what I expected, probably a little bit too much and I've still got a real drive to play at a real competitive level and do well. That's why I'm back here," he said.

Morsy has signed a six-month deal until the end of the season with Bristol City and has already featured twice, including the full 90 minutes in the 5-1 FA Cup win against Watford last weekend.

He said he had offers from various clubs but the style of play under Gerhard Struber was what attracted him to Ashton Gate.

"With my analysts we were looking at teams which we think would suit me stylistically and where I can add and help the team and this was right at the top of the list," he said.

"I think the manager's infectious, all his staff are very enthusiastic, they love football, the manager's a real winner and watching the games already, briefly playing in two games, I can see that it's going to suit me here."

The move was helped by the fact Morsy counts Bristol City winger Anis Mehmeti as a friend, describing him as like a "little brother".

"He's a great lad, a student of the game and he's going to keep getting better and better," he said.

"I've reminded him that his full focus this season is here and scoring goals and doing well for us. We need him the best version of himself because if we do he's one of, if not the best, attackers in the league."