Boss Kieran McKenna says new signing Jack Taylor is a good profile for the Blues from a number of angles, the midfielder having signed from Peterborough earlier in the week, while the Town manager has outlined the reasons for keeping Massimo Luongo and Sone Aluko at Portman Road.

Taylor, 25, wasn’t with the squad at Felixstowe and Walton United this afternoon as he is yet to start pre-season training.

“We’re looking forward to having him in, he’s had an extra few days off as he had a really busy summer with the play-offs and the internationals, so he’ll start with us on Monday and we’re looking forward to having him,” manager Kieran McKenna explained.

“A good profile for us in all aspects and slightly different types of qualities that he brings to the squad.”

Quizzed on what role the former Republic of Ireland U21 international will play at Town, McKenna added: “He’s versatile in midfield. He’s done different roles but for us primarily, to play as one of the main central midfielders, you have to be able to receive in deep positions and we see him as someone we want to see get beyond the ball, make forward runs, get in the box and try add some goals from that area.”

Fans have been impressed by Taylor’s 10 goals for Posh last season, many of them spectacular efforts.

“He obviously had a good tally last year and he’s still got room to improve,” he said. “That’s what he’s coming to the club to do and that’s what we’re going to work on with him.”

As well as adding Taylor to his squad, out of contract duo Luongo and Aluko have penned new deals.

“Two players who were very important for us last season,” McKenna continued. “Massimo’s impact post-Christmas, Sone as I’ve said with his impact right throughout the year in the dressing room and at times on the pitch.

“Important to have enough senior figures around. We’ve brought in young players over the last few years, we want to identify more and bring in more of the young, hungry, high quality players that we want to bring in and improve, but we need good senior players around that, and they’re two good senior players.”

Aluko made only four League One starts last season and McKenna says the 34-year-old will contribute during the season without playing week-in, week-out.

“Sone said himself, the conversations started probably 15 months ago, at the end of the 2021/22 season where we were getting a feel for how he sees the next couple of years on the pitch going and how he sees off the pitch going and what he wants to do,” he said.

“If he wanted to play 46 games, then he probably wouldn’t want to stay here, but he sees that he can contribute and we know he contributes off the pitch.

“We have those conversations with someone like Sone over a long period of time and come to a decision together that this is still a good environment for him to achieve what he wants to achieve and keep developing as a person and he’s a good person for us to have around and keep helping develop the whole group and still has the quality to develop over the season.”

ITFC

765765 added 17:12 - Jul 1 Huge fan of the approach with Aluko. McKenna clearly knows the importance of the right character when it comes to players as well as the staff and influence within the squad. Just like bringing in Keogh last season, that was really valuable. Hoping Aluko moves into coaching and stays around for a good long time, I've only ever heard really good things about him.
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WhoisJimmyJuan added 18:15 - Jul 1 Agreed. Definitely sounds like Sone fancies his coaching badges and I think he'll be great. Shrewd management.
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ArnieM added 21:21 - Jul 1 I wonder what Sone actually goes behind the scenes now? The Club clearly see ( and use him now) in a particular role. Long May it last , I really like him.
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Tractorboy1985 added 22:03 - Jul 1 Thee 11 on the pitch always take the plaudits and rightly so but good sides have a TEAM.. and that is what ITFC have! A TEAM from top to bottom all pulling in the same direction! We've had the like of Chopra.. Bullard.. Dos Santos who can win a game IF they are up for it.. a TEAM always wins and TEAM spirit goes a long way which we have in abundance thanks to our magnificent CEO, manager and all the back room staff at PR! Trust the process.. it might not happen next season but Ipswich Town are in superb hands and our great club WILL be playing Premiership football in the not too distant future! COYB 💙🤍

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Steelmonkey added 08:49 - Jul 2 I've got to say I was surprised to not see Burgess taking part yesterday, has he an injury? A few of the lads walked around the perimeter fencing signing autographs, he seemed very aloof and his body language suggested not wanting to get involved with the fans when he went around. Almost an ever present last season and such a consistent player for us, one of those players to whom you would pencil in as an automatic starting choice. Hearing KM say that there will be more ins and outs before the season starts makes me fearful that Cameron might be on the outs list, hope I'm wrong.

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