THE Blues' Premiership promotion push will falter unless new players are signed quickly.That is the stark warning from experienced Fabian Wilnis, who has urged the club to sign a midfielder as soon as possible.

THE Blues' Premiership promotion push will falter unless new players are signed quickly.

That is the stark warning from experienced Fabian Wilnis, who has urged the club to sign a midfielder as soon as possible.

Second-placed Ipswich blew the chance to go top of the table last week at Sunderland, when an injury to Tommy Miller forced them to play with just three in midfield.

With a wafer-thin squad of just 14, supplemented by Academy kids, Ipswich cannot afford injuries or suspensions.

Kevin Horlock is one booking away from a one-match ban, while a number of players have played with cracked bones and other injuries.

Wilnis believes things can't carry on in that vein. He said: “Our squad is way too small.

“We definitely need to be bringing in new players now. We saw, with Tommy injured last week, how it disrupted our way of playing.

“We especially need midfield players, we are well off up front, and at the back we can shuffle around, but there is no cover in midfield.

“If we get any more injuries or suspensions then we are in trouble.

“If we can maintain our form over Christmas we will be in a good position but we need to bring in new players if we want to stay at the top.

“Other clubs are strengthening - look at West Ham, for example.

“I appreciate the financial situation at the club but, even so, we need someone else in.

“It would be good for the squad to see a new face, and to add to the competition for places, but that is up to the board.”

The financial constraints would mean any new signings would be loan moves or contracts until the end of the season.

Wilnis said: “We are coming up to the half-way point and we are doing well so far but there is still a long way to go.

“We need players just to get promoted then, if that happens, you can plan again and bring in players for the Premiership.”

The 34-year-old Dutchman would love another season in the Premiership but is realistic enough to know that if Town did go up they would have to do as Norwich did and make wholesale changes.

He added: “The gap is getting bigger and bigger and it is getting harder to survive and I know, if we were to go up, then we, too, would have to bring in six or seven new players just to stand a chance.

“Playing in the Premiership was fantastic. The whole buzz around the place was brilliant.

“The whole region benefited and we put Ipswich on the map, the whole of Europe knew who we were.”

Wilnis, who signed from De Graafschapp for £200,000, almost six years ago, will make his 200th start for the Blues at Crewe next week - if selected.

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