Ipswich Town will be able to sign a maximum of four senior players during the January transfer window.

The Blues are currently second in the League One table and seemingly embroiled in a three-way fight for the automatic promotion spots along with Plymouth Argyle and Sheffield Wednesday.

Chief executive Mark Ashton has vowed that 'there will be activity' next month as the club looks to strengthen from a position of strength.

A central striker is likely to be top of Kieran McKenna's shopping list, but reinforcements for attacking and midfield roles are also strong possibilities. 

League One clubs must name a 22-man squad at the end of each transfer window, with all goalkeepers and players aged under 21 at the start of the calendar year (in which the season started) ineligible.

After the summer window closed, Town named a 20-man squad.

They could choose to deregister midfielder Dominic Ball in January, given his season has been ended by injury.

Yesterday's news that Panutche Camara is set for 'months' out following a third groin operation means he may also be considered for deregistration. Though McKenna has said he is hopeful the 25-year-old will play again this season.

Removing both from the squad would leave four senior slots available to fill with new signings and/or recalled loan players.

“Forget finances, we have a 22-man squad so we know what we can fit and what we can and can’t do," said Ashton, when speaking to our Kings of Anglia podcast.

“We will have some tough decisions to make, looking at who is recovering from injury, when they are recovering from injury and whether we leave players in the 22-man squad or take them out and replace them.

“We have to make sure we have the depth in key positions because the games come thick and fast.” 

Lee Evans and Sone Aluko have both recently recovered from medium-term injuries, while Marcus Harness is close to making his comeback.

Tyreece John-Jules still faces several more weeks on the sidelines, but is young enough not to take up a 'senior' spot.

Matt Penney's loan spell at Motherwell expires next month. 

Ipswich do not have a recall option in Joe Pigott's Portsmouth loan, but could bring back Corre Ndaba (Burton), Elkan Baggott (Gillingham), Idris El Mizouni (Leyton Orient) and/or Rekeem Harper (Exeter) should they wish.  

 

TOWN'S CURRENT 20-MAN SENIOR SQUAD

Janoi Donacien

Kane Vincent-Young

George Edmundson

Luke Woolfenden

Richard Keogh

Cameron Burgess

Leif Davis

Greg Leigh

Sam Morsy

Dominic Ball (could be deregistered due to injury)

Lee Evans

Panutche Camara (could be deregistered due to injury)

Wes Burns

Kyle Edwards

Conor Chaplin

Sone Aluko

Marcus Harness

Freddie Ladapo

Kayden Jackson

Gassan Ahadme

 

FIRST-TEAMERS THAT DON'T HAVE TO BE REGISTERED

Christian Walton (keeper)

Vasclav Hladky (keeper)

Cameron Humphreys (19)

Tyreece John-Jules (21)

 

LOAN PLAYERS THAT CLASS AS 'SENIOR'

Corrie Ndaba (22)

Matt Penney (24)

Idris El Mizouni (22)

Rekeem Harper (22)

Joe Pigott (29)

 

LOAN PLAYERS THAT WOULDN'T HAVE TO BE REGISTERED

Elkan Baggott (20)