GARY Roberts' return to Accrington Stanley has been short-lived, with the midfielder leaving by mutual consent to become Paul Cook's first team coach following the ex-Stanley boss's appointment as the new Ipswich Town manager.

Roberts, who helped propel Stanley back into the Football League in 2006, rejoined the club in January.

But after just three appearances he has answered the call from Cook and returned to Ipswich, where he spent two years as a player after leaving the Reds initially on loan in 2006 before making the move permanent in January 2007.