Blues boss Kieran McKenna says discussions are under way with players who might leave the club before the transfer window closes on Friday.

Town already have 27 players who qualify for their 25-man Premier League squad even before any further additions with Chiedozie Ogbene and Armando Broja - or perhaps an alternative if that move breaks down - still to sign.

McKenna was asked whether that situation means he and his staff have ruthless decisions to make in the next few days.

“It’s not necessarily about ruthless decisions, by any means,” he said. “It’s about finding the right thing for the club and the right thing for the players.

“Of course, everyone wants to be playing in the Premier League but there’s only 11 players that can play every week and there’s only a reasonable amount underneath that that you can keep to have appropriate squad depth.

“We want to have a big squad but, of course, there are limitations to that. We’re having discussions already with the players and at this club we try and do the right thing by the players as often as possible to try and have good, honest conversations with them and as much as possible try and find the balance between what’s right for us and what’s right for their careers.

“We’re having those conversations every day, every week throughout the season anyway and we’ll be having some of those this week and will make sure that we’ve got the right depth, the right cover and right options in the squad, and also try and find the right pathway and the right options for each player who is under our care.”

Centre-half George Edmundson appears one of those who will be moving on following the addition of Dara O’Shea at the weekend, leaving the former Rangers man effectively as the sixth centre-half.

The 27-year-old was given a surprise late cameo off the bench at Manchester City, the club he supported as a boy, on Saturday.

“It would be inappropriate to speak about any individuals,” McKenna said. “We speak to all the individuals in the squad about their pathway and their options and where they would fit in the squad and what might be best for them this season and beyond. We do that for every player in the squad.”

Freddie Ladapo appears certain to be among those moving on, while Marcus Harness could also be among those to depart. Ali Al-Hamadi may also be sent out on loan once the Blues have added to their strikers, while Jack Taylor would now appear to be the fifth-choice central midfielder.

Those moving on will be players who have played their part in Town’s remarkable journey over the last couple of seasons.

“There already has been,” McKenna reflected. “There were players who left in the summer who have been a massive part of the journey with the club, there were players who moved on last summer, who were a massive part of getting the club back to the Championship. There has been this summer and there will be.

“That’s the challenge, we have to evolve the squad and develop the squad as we go along and not every player who has been on the journey is going to stay right the way through it.

“And again, that might be a requirement as we bring in and improve the squad, but it also might be the right thing for the player.

“We’re so proud and delighted in the summer that Kayden Jackson moved on to Derby to a big football club, secured himself a long-term contract, a starting position at a good Championship club when a couple of years ago he wasn’t playing here.

“We had a fantastic part of the journey, moved on and is now playing week-in, week-out at a really good football on a long contract.

“Greg Leigh left last summer, went on to play international football, got promoted with Oxford. Everyone in the building’s absolutely delighted when those stories come about.

“When people move on in our club, in our environment, it’s not necessarily about ruthless decisions, it’s about finding what’s the right thing.

“It’s also a balance of finding the right thing for the player, what’s their career progression, what’s their opportunity going to be like here and when’s the right time for them to go and find opportunities elsewhere that might progress their careers.

“When those things happen, we’re as proud as when positive things happen to players who are still here, to be honest.”

Photo: TWTD

OldFart71 added 12:10 - Aug 27 It wouldn't be cricket old boy, or in this case football to just dump a player who has contributed to our rise from Division One to the Premier League. We are eternally grateful for their hard work and thank them more than can be imagined and wish them all the very best whichever club they end up at.
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Karlosfandangal added 12:23 - Aug 27 Oldfart 100% agree no more to add
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Bazza8564 added 12:24 - Aug 27 Ladapo, Harness, Walton, Edmundson would be the ones That I would be betting on, yes we need three keepers but we have younger ones we can call on who aren't yet 21 as third choice. Ali Al Hamadi on loan too possibly but clearly there is a balance here for people who want to play rather than just train and get paid
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Bluemike31 added 12:25 - Aug 27 Don't know why but the one I'm struggling with is Harness, been very good in pre season and looked decent when he came on against Liverpool, needs must I guess.
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Runner added 12:28 - Aug 27 Perfect way to sum up the ongoing situation, now & in the future.
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flykickingbybgunn added 12:33 - Aug 27 I'm glad we are trying to do the thing in the right manner. The Ipswich way. I would like to thank all those effected for their efforts over the past years. They have made us proud and of course wish them the best for the future.
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algarvefan added 12:37 - Aug 27 If we want to progress and we do, then you can't allow sentimentality to cloud difficult decisions. I feel our players are all treated with respect and honesty and that's all they can ask. Whatever the outcomes KM knows best and we should respect his decisions. Some players may feel a little aggrieved but if we can help them relocate then they will be fine in the long run. This season is about staying up and we have to do what we have to do.

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enforcer added 13:31 - Aug 27 It’s good that all the boys that have contributed are being treated properly.
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Suffolkboy added 13:51 - Aug 27 Absolutely representative of the highest standards and ethics that characterise ITFC under K McK and MA. Honesty and integrity of purpose aren’t suddenly going to be sacrificed :and the diligent , ongoing planning from the top down will ensure we can abide by the best principles ! COYB
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WestSussexBlue added 14:18 - Aug 27 The way KMc carries himself, his honesty, loyalty, professionalism and care for the players is something that the great Sir Bobby would have been immensely proud of. He himself laid the foundations that this club carries to this day. Thank you Sir Bob and in the current moment Kieran too.
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LegendofthePhoenix added 15:39 - Aug 27 We've pretty much brought in a complete new team, and the philosophy has always been to replace the weakest players in the squad in each position with ones better than the best player in each position. Hence it is not surprising that we now find ourselves where many of the players who contributed so much to two successive promotions are now at best fringe players. They are however players who were good enough to win promotion, twice, and so they should be able to play a really big part for teams in the Championship. Whether that is Freddie, Fridge, Harness, Luongo, even players like Chaplin. Players who can still play a part off the bench as a squad player for us in the PL, but that may not be what they want , and they could be starting every week in the next tier. Several of these players have also played a huge part in the work we've done with the Foundation and they will leave a big ,big hole if they leave - tremendous well-rounded people as well as super footballers. So glad for Kayden that he got a great move to Derby. If these players stay and play a bit part, that would be great, but surely a few will move on with our very best wishes.

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tetchris added 18:06 - Aug 27 Some of our squad who got us promoted are championship level at best. Luongo, Wolfie and maybe Chaplin. Also where is broadhead going to play? We have spent £90m and that could top £100m by Friday. Some tough decisions will need to be made this week
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 09:27 - Aug 28 Would be sad to see Harness leave, even though I wouldn't expect him to start regularly. But he looked very sharp against L'pool and gave the impression he very much wanted to stay.
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