Ipswich Town will play eight games in 29 days during April. STUART WATSON looks at some squad players who could be needed to step up during a crucial period.
JANOI DONACIEN
League appearances: 28 starts (4 sub apps)
Last start: Accrington (h) W 3-0, Mar 7
To think that we’d be calling Donacien a ‘squad player’ would have been unthinkable before the turn of the year.
He started 51 league games in a row from November 2021 to December 2022, but the January arrival of Harry Clarke has seen him slip down the pecking order.
Even if he doesn’t play one more minute, JD’s contribution to Town’s season shouldn’t be forgotten.
There’s every chance he will be needed again at some point though – be that as a starter due to injury or fatigue, or as a substitute to come on and help Town see a win or two over the line.
Blues fans know they have a consistent and reliable player waiting to step in again when required. The next ‘Donaissance’ (copyright Andy Warren) could be short but significant.
KANE VINCENT-YOUNG
League appearances: 2 (16)
Last start: Rotherham (h) W 4-1 (FAC), Jan 7
With just two league starts to his name this season, it's increasingly looking like the affable right-back's injury-hit four-year spell at Ipswich Town is coming towards an end.
That's not to say he's played his last game for the club though.
Vincent-Young was among the subs for the recent 2-0 home win against Shrewsbury and came on in the latter stages.
His versatility and dynamism means he may be seen as a bolder bench choice when McKenna picks his one back-up defender.
RICHARD KEOGH
League appearances: 4 (5)
Last start: Cambridge Utd (a) D 1-1, Feb 4
Kieran McKenna has repeatedly praised Keogh’s role as an off-field leader since he returned to his boyhood club last August. That, it goes without saying, will be even more important now as we reach the business end of the season.
But will the 36-year-old have a part to play on the pitch too?
He’s only made four league starts for Town so far, the last of which was the 1-1 draw at Cambridge United on February 4, and hasn’t made the bench since the 2-1 FA Cup replay loss at Burnley.
George Edmundson’s season-ending ankle injury means Keogh now finds himself as the only out-and-out centre-half back-up to Luke Woolfenden and Cameron Burgess.
It’s worth bearing in mind that both Clarke and Donacien have played at centre-back in the past too.
GREG LEIGH
League appearances: 2 (10)
Last start: Burnley (a) L 2-1 (FAC), Feb 7
The athletic ex-Morecambe man was tagging in for Leif Davis on a regular basis during the first half of the season, helping the Blues keep up their intensity down the left side.
He’s found minutes harder to come by since returning from a leg fracture last November, with the outstanding Davis showing remarkable fitness levels during his first season of week-in, week-out senior football.
With no space on the bench for a left-back anymore, Leigh will only be required if Davis becomes an enforced absentee.
That would be massive blow, but Leigh has proven he could be a very capable stand-in.
CAMERON HUMPHREYS
League appearances: 10 (7)
Last start: MK Dons (a) W 1-0, Feb 25
Humphreys probably wouldn’t have believed you had you told him last summer that he will have started 19 games (10 of them in the league) come the start of April.
A spate of midfield injuries saw him thrown in at the deep end for a couple of hectic spells though and the 18-year-old, who plays and speaks with a maturity beyond his years, proved he is ready to swim.
McKenna now knows he can fully trust the talented teenager, but does he have a role to play over the run-in?
He came on for Massimo Luongo in the March wins against Burton and Accrington, but has been replaced on the bench by a fit-again Dominic Ball for the last two games.
It would only take one injury or suspension to open the door again.
DOMINIC BALL
League appearances: 3 (6)
Last start: Charlton (a) D 4-4, Oct 29
When asked to make some predictions last July, I named Ball as Town’s best summer signing.
“He’s been a Championship regular for the last three seasons and most QPR fans seemed sorry to see him go. A strong, committed, hungry midfielder who is going to stand up and be counted when the chips are down,” was my logic.
November knee surgery looked to have cruelly finished his season prematurely, but the 27-year-old has shown his trademark focus and commitment to get back well ahead of schedule.
Sam Morsy and Luongo are forging an impressive partnership in the middle of the park, but it’s good to know Town now have an equally experienced and competitive player ready to step in if required.
PANUTCHE CAMARA
League appearances: 0 (1)
Last start: Portsmouth (h) L 2-0 (PJT), Nov 22
Prising Camara away from league rivals Plymouth last summer was seen as a real coup, but constant set-backs with groin injuries means we’ve seen very little of the tireless midfielder who can carry the ball at speed.
A third surgery looks to have been a success, with McKenna saying Camara is finally playing pain free now, but it looks like the 26-year-old will be brought up to speed with the U21s over the coming weeks.
“From a physical point of view he’s ready and available for selection, but he’s behind the others in terms of match readiness and understanding how we play,” said the Blues boss.
MARCUS HARNESS
League appearances: 20 (14)
Last start: Bristol Rovers (a) D 0-0, Feb 14
January signing Nathan Broadhead may have the inside left forward role locked down, but (like with Luongo) there is a slight fear he could break down at any moment given a poor injury record.
Should that happen then Ipswich would simply turn back to Harness – a player who, lest we forget, was courted by Championship clubs last summer and scored plenty of goals in the early stages of this campaign.
Whether a starter or sub, the 27-year-old has been involved in all but three of Town’s league games this season. He undoubtedly has a vital role to play over these last nine games.
KYLE EDWARDS
League appearances: 2 (23)
Last start: Fleetwood (h) D 1-1, Dec 2
Is there another big moment in Town’s smiling super sub?
He’s stepped off the bench 23 times in the league this season, scoring twice late on in the 3-0 home win against Cambridge United, turning the tide in the reverse fixture and scoring a peach of a free-kick in the recent 3-0 win against Accrington.
McKenna has often referenced how Edwards’ dribbling skills can offer his team something completely different.
Could be the gamechanger to call upon if an opponent is frustrating with a low block.
SONE ALUKO
League appearances: 4 (10)
Last start: Bristol Rovers (a) D 0-0, Feb 14
The silky attacker reminded everyone of his qualities with a fine performance at Burnley in the FA Cup.
He subsequently came on against Sheffield Wednesday and started at Bristol Rovers, but since then hasn’t made a matchday squad as Town racked up six straight wins.
With Conor Chaplin and Nathan Broadhead backed up by Harness and Edwards, the 34-year-old's role in this promotion push looks most likely to be as part of McKenna's ‘leadership group’ rather than on the field.
Again, it only takes one injury to change that though.
The fact a player of Aluko’s calibre is currently outside the 18 speaks volumes about Town’s squad depth.
KAYDEN JACKSON
League appearances: 11 (20)
Last start: Accrington (h) W 3-0, Mar 7
McKenna has been effusive in his praise of Jackson from day one.
The Blues boss loves the 29-year-old's team attitude, as well as his super strengths of lightning pace and an incredible work rate.
It looks like he has fully transitioned to a right-winger now following two superb performances against Burnley in the FA Cup, followed by a goal and assist display in the recent 3-0 home win against Accrington.
No doubt about it, Jackson is keeping Wes Burns’ standards high and is ready to contribute whenever called upon.
With the games coming thick and fast, I can see him starting some of these last nine games.
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