Town have leaders ready to step up despite Chambers absence

The Blues’ skipper is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card at Derby on Tuesday night, ruling him out of the clash against a club he almost rejoined in January.

But midfielder Grant Ward believes there are plenty of players in the Ipswich side capable of stepping up, with Cole Skuse likely to take the captain’s armband.

“It’s going to be a big miss but we have a lot of leaders in the team and voices on the pitch, so we won’t need to worry about that,” Ward said.

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Grant Ward believes Town can cope in Chambers' absence. Picture: STEVE WALLER (Image: � Copyright Stephen Waller)

“We scored the goal at Derby and he (Chambers) was telling us all to calm down and be focussed from the kick-off because a lot of goals do come after kick-off and things like that, so we just chilled out and got back in position.

“We’ve got a lot of leaders in the team who could wear the armband, so I think we will be alright. Maybe long-term I could see myself as a captain in the future but maybe not just yet. I think Skusey will take over that one or maybe Bart. Cole is similar to Chambo but does it in a different kind of way. He has the same presence and aura about him.

“For loud voices we have people like Garns (Joe Garner), Didzy (David McGoldrick) and Waggy (Martyn Waghorn) so a lot of the lads are quite vocal, Jonas Knudsen too. There are a lot of leaders in the team.”

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While the Blues will miss Chambers the player this weekend, following a string of solid displays alongside Adam Webster, Ward revealed his skipper still has an input even when not in the team.

“He has been injured but when he’s fit he plays most games so he will be a miss but we have depth in squad so we have people who can fill his role,” he said. “Whoever comes in will know their job.

“He will be in and around the squad, 100 per cent. When he was injured before, he came down to the dressing room at half-time and things like that, so he will be involved.

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Town midfielder Cole Skuse is likely to take the armband. Photo: Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

While Chambers was sidelined for the victory over Brentford earlier this season, Knudsen took on the captain’s famous fist pumps after the 2-0 win. So will the Dane be doing so again?

“Jonas took over it once but the skipper wasn’t too happy about it so we will see,” Ward joked.

“He had a little word with him.”

Jonas Knudsen taking on Luke Chambers fist pumps in his absence, after Brentford clash. Picture: STEVE WALLER (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)