Town boss Paul Hurst has confirmed that he will be looking to add to his nine signings so far via the loan option open to EFL clubs until the end of the month and also says he will make some of his players available on the same basis.
"There are a couple of deals that we’ve missed out on and I still think we’ll have to look into the loan market for one or two more players between now and September,” he said. "But overall, as I said, I think it’s been a really productive time for us.”
Hurst confirmed that a centre-half is top of his list with a deadline day move for AFC Wimbledon skipper Deji Oshilaja having failed to come to fruition, the Blues having given up on their long-term interest in Blackpool’s Curtis Tilt.
A striker is also required following Joe Garner's late, late deadline day departure for Wigan Athletic.
Would he look to sign players on loan but with a view to those deals becoming permanent in January? "I’m not going to get too hung up on whether I feel they can be turned into permanents. I think it’s just important you’re assessing every day.
"What can happen between now and that window closing is injuries or if somebody’s really out of form and you need to change something, but in general I think I’ve got a pretty clear idea in truth of what I’d like to bring in positionally.
"But I think a lot of situations will change after today in terms of people know the permanents they’ve got, if they’ve managed to get deals in that they’ve wanted and suddenly there'll be more players available, and probably we’re no different to that.
"I haven’t circulated anyone’s name for loan or anything like that. After today, I think I’ll make people aware that we might have some players available if they’d like to take them on loan.”
Already fringe players Aaron Drinan, Chris Smith and Pat Webber have moved to Vanarama National League sides Sutton, Aldershot and Braintree respectively for the first half of the season.
Hurst added: "We have [a lot of players across the middle]. Again, I think that will be something I’ll certainly be looking at, certainly not because I don’t think they’re good players or I don’t see them having a future at Ipswich Town, it’s more about people getting games.
Posted by TWTD on Thursday, 9 August 2018
"I’ll be trying to get them somewhere where I feel for their development they can get minutes on the pitch because I will never send anyone out on loan and speak to a manager or a club and say they’ve got to play.
"That’s a load of rubbish in my opinion. They’ve got to earn their right to play. As a manager you don’t want something hung over your head saying you have to play a certain player because [he may not be] the best one for the team at that moment in time.
"Sometimes it’s not even fair on the player, so I’m not really keen on those sorts of deals. But where you feel they’ve got a genuine opportunity to play, that’s what we’ll look for with a couple of lads.”