Ward, who left the club for Crystal Palace back in 2006, has been brought in as cover for the injured trio of Tony Craig, Zak Whitbread and captain Paul Robinson and is expected to go straight into Kenny Jackett's team to face Gillingham tomorrow lunch time.
The deal had looked dead in the water earlier in the week with Ward's wages a stumbling block but a deal was agreed with the defender's parent club Wolverhampton Wanderers in time for tomorrow's clash at the Priestfield.