Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna says there was never any doubt in his mind that captain Sam Morsy would remain a key figure in his side this season.

The 33-year-old has started all six of the Blues' opening Premier League games so far, having previously been a driving force in back-to-back promotions.

He netted a dramatic 95th minute equaliser at Southampton recently and is forging a new partnership with Man City loanee Kalvin Phillips at the base of the midfield. 

 

 

“Amongst all the decisions we had to make in the summer, that one was never a doubt in my mind," said McKenna.

“Sam was always going to be the club captain this year and be an absolutely integral part of the football club as we move forward. As we try and establish ourselves as a Premier League club and develop our culture with a new group of players and some new staff, he always going to be integral to that.
 
“His performances were really strong last season and that was maybe his first season that he'd been operating at the very top end of the Championship. So he more than deserved his chance to be a big part on the pitch this season as well. He came back and performed well in pre-season and he's performing well in the early games."

Morsy, who signed a new two-year deal at the club in the summer, has picked up four bookings in the first six Premier League games. If he picks up one more in the next 13 league matches he will serve a one-game suspension.

McKenna's other central midfields options are Jens Cajuste, Massimo Luongo and Jack Taylor. 
 
On Morsy, McKenna added: “He's still got improving to do, he's still got growth to make to be performing as well as he possibly can. And he's got the mindset to always be striving to get better.

"It's really good to have him here still as an important player for us off the pitch and on the pitch."