Ipswich Town: Kieran McKenna on possible transfers and Armando Broja

The Blues have added 11 players so far this summer, most recently signing Sunderland winger Jack Clarke and Burnley defender Dara O’Shea.

That might not be the end of it, however, with the manager confirming that the club will continue to look at any opportunities to strengthen the squad.

“We’re still going to stay active right through to Friday, so there’s the possibility,” he said.

“We’ll only do it if it’s right, if we feel that it adds to the squad, adds to the group that we have here and it’s in the right interests of the club.

“We know the rigours of the season we have ahead and we want to be really strong in terms of quality and depth.

“We’re getting there now, but if there’s additions we can make until Friday that we think can help us, we’ll try and do so.”

Ahead of Saturday’s 4-1 defeat to Premier League champions Manchester City, McKenna revealed that he was particularly looking to strengthen the forward areas. Asked again after the addition of Clarke, he stressed the need for as much depth as possible in the final third.

“I think Jack, of course, is one big addition to that area. He’s a versatile forward who brings different qualities,” the Northern Irishman explained.

“We know that’s an area that depth is most important to us because of the challenges of the season, but also how we like to utilise our squad. We like to use four different forwards to start the game and most commonly four different forwards to finish the game.

“Having that depth of options off the bench, having those players who can impact the game fresh, has really helped us over the last couple of years – both in terms of how we finish the game, but also how we start the game.

“Quite often, our starters are going in and playing at an intensity that they know might be impossible to work for 90 minutes, but they know that they’re probably working towards 50, 60, 70 minutes towards that intensity.

“That’s what we want to have again this year. Certainly in the forward areas, we want to be really strong in terms of the different qualities and depth. We hope to be that by Friday.”

Armando Broja's loan move to Portman Road stalled at the end of last week (Image: PA)

Two players that have been linked in the last couple of weeks are Chelsea striker Armando Broja and Luton Town wide man Chiedozie Ogbene.

Broja’s loan move to Suffolk looked set to be completed last week. It’s understood that an issue with his medical has halted the deal, which is unlikely to happen.

The East Anglian Daily Times and Ipswich Star understand that Ogbene is a target for Town, with a report from FootballInsider claiming that the club are in ‘advanced talks’ over an £8 million deal.

“With Armando, he’s of course a player that we’ve spoken to,” McKenna confirmed. “I think that’s pretty well known.

“There’s discussions going on with Chelsea at the moment, but I’ve not been privy to them in the last 24 hours.

“There’s discussions ongoing, so we’ll see if it’s the right thing for the clubs and the player before Friday.

“Other than that, it’s not right to speak on any other rumours until something is confirmed.”

Asked whether he was optimistic that a move for Broja would materialise, McKenna replied: “I’m optimistic for Wednesday night, to be honest!

“It’s a fine balance as a manager. Of course, you have a part to play in the recruitment and a big part in it, but the focus for me is on the next training session coming up in an hour or two, then getting ready for Wednesday night.

“The club is going to work really hard to be as strong as possible by Friday night.”