‘Play him or sell him’ - Should Downes start this weekend?

Downes is Town’s best player, and one of, if not the best, midfielders in League One.

MORE: ‘The young lad is a really good player’ - Lambert on new signing McGuinness

Having excelled in his first full season as a starter for the Blues last campaign, he was expected to be a major part of the club’s promotion push this time around.

But his success has drawn the attention of clubs higher up the ladder, with Town rejecting two bids from Premier League Crystal Palace.

Ipswich's Jack Lankester with an effort on goal at Bristol Rovers. Picture Pagepix Ltd (Image: Pagepix Ltd.07976 935738)

MORE: Ipswich Town injury list: A host of big players are sat on the sidelines... here’s when they could return

And Downes himself has told the club he’s interested in the move, leading him to be left out of the squad for the Carabao Cup win over Bristol Rovers and the first league game of the season, a 2-0 win over Wigan.

He’s since returned from the sub’s bench against Fulham in the Carabao Cup and against Rovers in the league last Saturday, where he helped change the game as Town again won 2-0.

But the trio of starters so far - Andre Dozzell, Teddy Bishop and Jon Nolan – have played well, with boss Paul Lambert promising at the start of the season that players would keep the shirt after they’d earned it.

MORE: Dozzell on his new role, Norwich interest, a new contract and winning promotion for ‘my club’

So, should Town bring Downes back into the fold - or contunue to use him from the bench?

- Let us know by leaving a comment below and voting in our polls!

Town manager Paul Lambert speaks with substitute Flynn Downes ahead of bringing him on against Fulham in the Carabao Cup. Picture: STEVE WALLER (Image: Archant)