The summer transfer window opens tomorrow. Mark Heath takes a look at where Ipswich Town will want to add to their squad in the weeks ahead....
First things first. The 2023 summer transfer window officially opens tomorrow and runs for more than two months until it slams shut at 11pm on Friday, September 1.
Under Mark Ashton and his data dashboards, we are expecting Town to do some solid, focused business with around four to five arrivals bolstering Kieran McKenna's squad as they step up into the Championship.
For a full, position-by-position break down, read Stuart Watson's excellent in-depth analysis here.
This is where Town will likely be doing their business...
Striker
Top priority this summer, and where they will surely spend most money, is finding a starting striker.
Loan star George Hirst, who fired Town to promotion with some key goals, is back at parent club Leicester City, newly relegated to the second tier.
He would be an obvious - and popular - target, but there's a lot of sorting out of the squad which needs doing at the Foxes, which will likely complicate matters.
The Blues have also been linked to Blackpool striker Jerry Yates, who bagged 15 goals in 43 games as the Tangerines were relegated from the Championship last season.
Freddie Ladapo, who scored 21 goals last season despite only starting 26 games, will likely start the season as a back-up, while Gassan Ahadme and Joe Pigott look sure to head out on loan again.
But will Town be happy with two leading men - Ladapo and a new signing - or could a third striker be added this summer?
Centre-back
Next on the list of priorities is signing a centre-back who can come in and challenge for a starting spot.
Luke Woolfenden and Cameron Burgess made a rock solid pair in League One last season, but neither has much experience in the Championship, and nor does George Edmundson, who's recovering from another ankle injury.
Veteran Richard Keogh was released at the end of May, and returning loanees Elkan Baggott and Corrie Ndaba are probbaly not ready to step up to the second tier.
So a battle-hardened, Championship-tested new addition looks a must here. Sonny Bradley, just released by Premier League new boys Luton Town, is the sort of signing which appeals.
Centre-midfield
If Massimo Luongo signs the contract he's been offered, Town will have a quartet of Championship pedigree midfielders, with Sam Morsy, Lee Evans and Dom Ball.
But, given the injury history of the likes of Evans, Ball and Luongo, adding a fifth looks likely.
Peterborough chairman Barry Fry has confirmed Town are still interested in Jack Taylor, a man they've tried to sign three times already.
Whoever they add, there's a bit of a muddle to sort out here too - calls will need to be made on returning loanees Idris El Mizouni and Rekeem Harper, plus talented youngster Cameron Humphreys and Panutche Camara, who barely played due to injury after arriving from Plymouth last season.
Utility forward
I mentioned earlier the potential for adding two new strikers this summer. Another option would be to recruit someone who can play multiple positions aross that attack.
We know Kieran McKenna values versatility, and a man who could cover both striker and the attacking roles behind him would appeal.
Last season's loanee Tyreece John-Jules, who impressed everyone before falling victim to his injury curse, could be a contender here - although clearly there are those injury issues to consider.
Right winger
Wes Burns has been one of the biggest stars of Town's last two seasons but, like the centre-back scenario, he's largely unproven in the Championship, and is carrying an injury to start the summer.
Kayden Jackson offers back-up, but another signing here as a potential starter feels like it could be justified.
Crystal Palace's exciting youngster Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, who had a brilliant season on loan at Charlton last term, has been linked - and he'd be a very compelling capture, potentially on loan given he's under contract until 2027.
Other areas
The above are the areas of the pitch with the clearest need, but there could be other issues to address.
Town, for example, may be in the market for a back-up keeper if Vaclav Hladky decides he wants to depart in search of a starting spot.
Starting right-back Harry Clarke will miss the first game of the season after that red card at Fleetwood on the final day of 2022/23, with Janoi Donacien his dependable back-up - but might Town want to add competition there?
We'll find out over the next couple of months.
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