Ipswich Town have recalled teenage defender Luke Woolfenden from a loan spell at FA Trophy finalists Bromley to boost their threadbare squad for the final two Championship matches.

East Anglian Daily Times: Luke Woolfenden played in the Carabao Cup games at Luton and Crystal Palace towards the start of this seaosn. Photo: PagepixLuke Woolfenden played in the Carabao Cup games at Luton and Crystal Palace towards the start of this seaosn. Photo: Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

Grant Ward has played at right wing-back in the first two games of Bryan Klug’s caretaker management but now serves a three-match suspension following his straight red card in last weekend’s 4-0 home defeat to aston Villa.

Right-sided duo Dominic Iorfa (groin) and Barry Cotter (knee) remain injured, while Jordan Spence is required at centre-back due to Luke Chambers and Adam Webster being sidelined.

As a result, Town have opted to recall Woolfenden from a non-league loan spell just as they did with young homegrown centre-back Chris Smith (Chelmsford) recently.

The tall, pacey, 19-year-old – who impressed in Carabao Cup matches at Luton and Crystal Palace at the start of the season – goes straight into the Blues squad for tomorrow’s match at Reading.

It means he has been denied a potential once-in-a-lifetime appearance at Wembley, with Bromley set to face Brackley Town in the FA Trophy Final on May 20.

Woolfenden joined the Ravens on loan just before Christmas and has made 17 starts and three substitute appearances for the play-off chasing South London club.