PAUL Jewell knew something had to change.

Within weeks of his appointment at Portman Road, the Town boss had identified the lack of a prolific marksman as the biggest problem among his slowly-improving side.

The 20-goal-a-season man is something of a Holy Grail among all managers so the Town boss wasted no time in grabbing two.

In Michael Chopra and Nathan Ellington, Ipswich now have two men in their ranks who have hit that magical number. Regardless of recent problems with injury (Chopra) and form (Ellington), both have a 20-plus Championship season on their CVs.

Now the Town boss must turn his attention to who will be the men to assist the new duo – not to mention, currently, the likes of Connor Wickham and Tamas Priskin – in firing the club towards the Premier League.

Even the best strikers need creativity, flair and pace around them and this is currently where Ipswich might come unstuck.

On the wings, Jewell can call on Lee Martin’s unpredictability, Josh Carson’s youth and Luciano Civelli. Carlos Edwards might also look to fight his way back onto the right wing if the manager can attract a suitable right back. While in the centre, there are also options but all come with a degree of concern.

There are defensive problems to address, which still might include a new keeper, but the desperate need for creativity and pace remains as urgent as ever.

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CURRENT OPTIONS:-

- Jaime Peters – the forgotten man of Ipswich Town. Can be an attacking option, but could just as easily be moved on.

- Grant Leadbitter – arguably the best hope among the current ranks, but needs to find the form that won fans over when he first signed.

- Carlos Edwards – an attacking and converted right-back or a hit-and-miss winger? We’ll know more at the start of the season.

- Lee Martin – improved under Jewell, but that wasn’t hard considering his dire start to life in Suffolk. Supporters remain unconvinced.

- Andy Drury – should benefit from a full pre-season. Could be a surprise starter when August 6 comes around.

- Luciano Civelli – the player everyone wants to come good, but who everyone privately fears may never truly recover from his

horrific knee injury.

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- Danny Green – It was reported yesterday that Dagenham & Redbridge had accepted a bid for an unnamed Championship club for a player who scored 13 goals from midfield last season. Town were keeping tight-lipped last night, but they have been linked along with newly-promoted Peterborough.

- Jimmy Bullard – It seems Jimmy’s nightmare spell at Hull is finally coming to an end. The midfielder will become a free agent

if he can successfully negotiate a pay-off from the Tigers. QPR still seems his next port of call but Town fans can dream of a reunion.

Kieron Dyer – There is less dreaming about Dyer coming back to Portman Road for a third time. His plans for next season have gone strangely quiet, but he could still find himself in the Championship, somewhere, next year.

- Keith Treacy – The Preston left winger has been strongly linked with a move to Ipswich, as well as others, since suffering relegation at the end of last season. With an eye for goals, seven last season, Treacy is clearly confident – recently saying he was too good to play in League One next year.

- James Coppinger – Another creative midfielder repeatedly linked this summer with a move to Suffolk, first in tandem with

Doncaster team mate Billy Sharp and then as a standalone purchase. He has told his local press that he is happy to remain at Rovers, but a bigger bid could change everything.

- Jonjo Shelvey – An interesting one. Sources close to Liverpool have revealed he will be allowed to go out on loan next season and he could even become a makeweight in any deal for Connor Wickham.