Swedish star Philip Hellstrom-Bangs is set to stand down from the Ipswich team, with Tru7 Group Witches bosses helping him to seek a Cab Direct Championship club for the rest of the season.

Hellstrom-Bangs has struggled for fitness and form following the two-week suspension he served in early May, and he has been unable to build the momentum needed to establish himself in the Rowe Motor Oil Premiership at this time.

But Witches continue to view the 2024 SON2 silver medallist and former Swedish Under-21 champion as a star of the future.

Ipswich chairman Richard Coleman hopes finishing the season in Britain’s second tier, alongside his Swedish commitments, may help him to regain form and confidence before a potential return to the Witches side for 2027.

He said: “I would like to place on record my thanks to Philip for his efforts this season. He really has not enjoyed the best of fortunes in recent weeks and, coupled with the two-week suspension he served, it has been tough for him to really get going in the Premiership.

“For this reason, we would be keen to help him find a spot with a Championship club, where he could get himself back up to speed and show the talent that we all know he has.

“I really think Philip is very talented and essentially, he hasn’t been riding enough. At Premiership level, that’s a tough place to be, if you are not getting enough seat time.

“As far as we are concerned, his journey with the Witches isn’t over, and we already see him as a potential member of our side for next year, if he ends the season well in the Championship and Sweden.

“The decision for Philip to stand down has been made jointly with him and his team, and we feel a move down a league will prove in everyone’s best interests for now. But we look forward to seeing him at Foxhall in the near future.”

The Witches are assessing their options and will confirm a replacement for Hellstrom-Bangs very soon.