Woolfenden Skippers as Town Make 10 Changes - Ipswich Town News
Town boss Kieran McKenna makes 10 changes for this afternoon’s FA Cup third-round tie against Bristol Rovers with Luke Woolfenden, who skippers, the only survivor from the 2-2 draw at Fulham a week ago.
Aro Muric returns in goal with new signing Ben Godfrey making his debut at right-back and Conor Townsend his home debut at left-back. Woolfenden, wearing the armband for his hometown club for the first time, is reunited with Cameron Burgess at the heart of the defence.
In midfield, Kalvin Phillips is partnered by Massimo Luongo with Wes Burns, Jack Taylor and Jack Clarke the three behind striker Ali Al-Hamadi. The bench is made up of first-team regulars with Cieran Slicker the sub keeper. George Hirst makes his return to the squad after his knee injury.
League One Rovers make two changes with Connor Taylor and new signing Romaine Sawyers coming in for Jamie Lindsay and one-time Blues loanee Thomas, who are both on the bench.
Ex-Town James Wilson and Grant Ward start, as does former Norwich striker Chris Martin.
Town: Muric, Godfrey, Woolfenden (c), Burgess, Townsend, Phillips, Luongo, Burns, Taylor, J Clarke, Al-Hamadi. Subs: Slicker, Johnson, H Clarke, O'Shea, Morsy, Cajuste, Broadhead, Delap, Hirst.
Bristol Rovers: Griffiths, Sousa, Moore, Wilson, Sinclair (c), Ward, Sotiriou, Sawyers, Taylor, Martin, Forde. Subs: Hall, Senior, Thomas, Hutchinson, McCormick, O’Donkor, Bilongo, Lindsay, Dixon. Referee: Oliver Langford (West Midlands).
What to read next:
McKenna: A Tough Game, an Increase in ChallengeManager Kieran McKenna felt today’s 3-0 victory away against French Ligue 1 side Auxerre was a tough game and an increase in challenge in the final fixture of pre-season and has been pleased with the way preparations for the campaign ahead have gone over the last few weeks.
McKenna: Townsend and Philogene Injuries Don't Look GreatBlues boss Kieran McKenna says the injuries suffered by Conor Townsend and Jaden Philogene don’t look great, while Leif Davis missed out due to a knock and Harry Clarke could be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, but keeper Aro Muric is making good progress.
McKenna Tight-Lipped on Hackney and CajusteTown boss Kieran McKenna remained tight-lipped when quizzed on the Blues’ approach for last season’s loanee Jens Cajuste and also Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney’s decision to remain with the Teessiders.
AJ Auxerre 0-3 Ipswich Town - Match ReportGoals from George Hirst, Jacob Greaves and Ali Al-Hamadi saw Town to a 3-0 victory over French Ligue 1 side Auxerre in their final pre-season friendly at the Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps. Hirst put the Blues in front on 38 and Greaves added the second with a header from a free-kick in first-half injury time, before Al-Hamadi added the third with five minutes remaining of the match.
AJ Auxerre 0-2 Ipswich Town - Half-TimeGoals from George Hirst and Jacob Greaves have given Town a 2-0 half-time lead against French Ligue 1 side Auxerre in their final pre-season friendly at the Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps.