Ipswich Town face a race to sign a defender in time for tomorrow’s Championship visit of Brentford following the news that skipper Luke Chambers has joined the lengthy injury list.

Chambers fell awkwardly in the first half of Tuesday night’s 4-3 win at Millwall and, despite completing the game, was not able to train yesterday.

It means all three of the Blues’ senior centre-backs are out, with Adam Webster (ankle) and Tommy Smith (hamstring) already sidelined until the start of October.

• ‘I have to be pulled out of games’ – Chambers on playing every minute of every league game last season.

Mick McCarthy had already been looking for defensive cover before his captain’s set-back and now that search has intensified. We understand talks with a player are at an advanced stage. A loan signing must be registered by 12pm today in order to play tomorrow.

Jordan Spence partnered Chambers at the heart of the Blues’ back line in midweek, with Dominic Iorfa and Jonas Knudsen the full-backs. The latter two can both move inside if needed.

• Dominic Iorfa believes his strongest position will end up centre-back

Academy graduate Luke Woolfenden, 18, made his debut recently when replacing the injured Webster at half-time of the 2-0 Carabao Cup win at League Two side Luton Town.

• McCarthy says news centre-back won’t necessarily be short-term fix.

Town already had no 10 players unavailable in midweek: Dean Gerken (ill), Webster, Smith, Emyr Huws (Achilles), Tom Adeyemi (ill), Teddy Bishop (groin), Andre Dozzell (knee), Luke Hyam (ankle), Bersant Celina (ill) and Flynn Downes (calf).

Gerken, Celina and Downes could be available again tomorrow, while Hyam, Huw and Adeyemi are targeting a return to action in next Tuesday’s Carabao Cup second round game at Premier League side Crystal Palace.

• Jonas Knudsen ready to go to war in the heart of Town’s defence if required

– Keep logged on to the EADT and Ipswich Star for all the latest Blues news. McCarthy’s 1pm press conference will be broadcast here live later.