Ipswich Town: McKenna on Panutche Camara and Joe Pigott futures

A mixture of groin injuries and competition for places saw the 26-year-old midfielder restricted to just one sub appearance in the league last season following a £500k move from Plymouth.

The Blues have since added Jack Taylor to a central midfield mix that also includes Sam Morsy, Massimo Luongo, Lee Evans, Dominic Ball and Cameron Humphreys this summer.

Camara played and scored in last weekend's pre-season win at Felixstowe, but wasn't involved in this evening's 2-1 win against Maidenhead United.

Kieran McKenna watches on at Needham (Image: Pagepix)

"We think as a football club it's going to best for him to go on loan this season and get minutes having missed the first half of last season with injuries and then found opportunities limited in the second half with players coming in and doing well," explained McKenna.

"He's been training really well and is a top professional. We've had communication from some different clubs. That process is ongoing at the moment."

The Blues boss continued: "It's the same with Elkan Baggott. We think it's best for him to get minutes on loan this season and he is in agreement with that plan. Again, we've had communication with different clubs. There's nothing very imminent, but that will hopefully get sorted in the next few weeks."

Asked if both players were likely to join League One clubs, McKenna said: "There's interest from different levels for both. Nothing's agreed. We'll look at each case as it comes."

Striker Joe Pigott, back at the club following a season-long loan at Portsmouth, hasn't been involved at all so far this pre-season.

Panutche Camara is set to head out on loan (Image: Ross Halls)

"Joe's in discussion with the club," said McKenna. "I've not been involved in those discussions to be honest. Both parties are talking about the best way forward."

With Taylor the only player in the door for Ipswich so far this summer, McKenna was asked if any new arrivals were close.

"No, nothing very imminent as far as I know in terms of anything coming in this weekend," he replied.

"The club is still working very, very hard. I think Mark (Ashton) has spoken about the market (being slow). I don't have much to add on that really.

"I want to strengthen, but until that point we'll work with the players we have training with us at the moment.

"We have a strong team and strong squad. We don't need bodies in the door. We want to improve the squad and the team, but those players aren't always immediately available.

"The club have to do the work that they're doing. Players coming into the group or leaving the group will happen when it happens."