x

Sears Drops to Bench for Brighton Clash - Ipswich Town News

Freddie Sears drops to the bench as one of three changes to the Blues’ side facing Brighton at Portman Road this evening with Adam Webster and Brett Pitman out injured.

Kevin Bru comes into what looks like a central midfield three with Tom Lawrence likely to start on the left and Grant Ward on the right. Leon Best makes his first start for the Blues as the central striker.

Sears, whose goal drought has now stretched to 35 games, had been nursing a tight groin in the wake of the Leeds match.

Josh Emmanuel is at right-back with skipper Luke Chambers at the centre of the defence alongside Christophe Berra.

Brighton are without the suspended Gaetan Bong and Sebastien Pocognoli comes in at left-back. Oliver Norwood replaces the injured Beram Kayal in midfield.

Town: Bialkowski, Emmanuel, Chambers (c), Berra, Skuse, Douglas, Bru, Ward, Lawrence, Best. Subs: Gerken, Kenlock, Digby, Bishop, Grant, Dozzell, Sears.

Brighton: Stockdale, Bruno (c), Dunk, Duffy, Pocognoli, Knockaert, Norwood, Stephens, Skalak, Murray, Hemed. Subs: Maenpaa, Hunt, Goldson,Sidwell, Murphy, Baldock, Manu. Referee: Andy Davies (Hampshire).

What to read next:

Wark Joined By Burley at Portman Road Event to Launch Book
The launch of the new John Wark book He’s Here, He’s There is being celebrated with a prestigious event starring Wark himself and his Town and Scotland teammate George Burley in the Sir Bobby Robson Suite at Portman Road on Thursday 2nd October.
Town Look to Gazump Birmingham's Akpom Deal
Town are reported to have made a late approach to Ajax to try to gazump Birmingham City’s loan move for striker Chuba Akpom.
Muric 'Closing in On Turkish Move'
Town keeper Aro Muric is closing in on a move to Çaykur Rizespor, according to various reports in Turkey.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
McKenna: Barbrook a Big Positive, Trio of Youngsters to Be Assessed Over the Next Month
Blues boss Kieran McKenna says 20-year-old midfielder Fin Barbrook has been a been a “big positive” of pre-season and that decisions will be made on where he and fellow youngsters Cameron Humphreys and Elkan Baggott will spend their campaigns over the course of the next month.
Women Defeated By Wolves in Friendly
Ipswich Town Women kicked off their pre-season campaign against FAWNL Northern Premier Division club Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Martello Ground, Felixstowe this afternoon, but fell to a 4-1 defeat at their former home ground.
Town Women Sign Midfielder Baigent
Ipswich Town Women have signed defensive midfielder Sophie Baigent on a permanent deal from Hashtag United.
Neom Linked With New Cajuste Approach
Saudi Arabian club Neom are reported to have made a renewed move for Blues target Jens Cajuste.
Former Blues Defender Smith Joins Braintree
Former Blues centre-half Tommy Smith has joined National League Braintree Town.
Town Women Host Wolves in Friendly
Ipswich Town Women play their first public friendly of pre-season against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Martello Ground in Felixstowe this afternoon (KO 2pm).