Boss Kieran McKenna says there are a number of areas which need to be strengthened if the Blues are to be a top Championship side this season.

Town have lost players in a number of areas over the summer, most notably central midfield and more recently in attack with Nathan Broadhead joining Wrexham and Omari Hutchinson on the verge of a move to Nottingham Forest.

Having lost skipper Sam Morsy, Massimo Luongo and Kalvin Phillips in the summer, the Blues agreed a fee with Middlesbrough for Hayden Hackney only for the England U21 international to turn down the switch.

Since then, Jens Cajuste has returned on loan from Napoli for a second season, but the Blues still need further reinforcements in that area.

The Daily Mail is linking Newcastle United midfielder Lewis Miley, 19, as a loan target with Bournemouth duo Lewis Cook, 28, and Philip Billing, 29, who has also been mentioned in connection with Town in social media rumours also said to be on the list.

Town will also be looking for players to replace Broadhead and Hutchinson once his departure for Forest is complete.

Crystal Palace’s Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, a player eyed in a number previous transfer windows, may come back into the reckoning having spent last season on loan at Sheffield United.

In defence, TWTD revealed earlier this afternoon that the Blues are showing interest in Uruguayan international Sebastian Caceres, who is currently with Club America in Mexico, which would suggest an exit in that area, perhaps Luke Woolfenden, whose first-team opportunities appear limited in the season ahead.

McKenna says no other deals are currently close, aside from Como striker Iván Azón’s season-long loan move, but that it’s likely to be a busy fortnight before the window closes on September 1st.

“There are a few positions that we feel that we need to be stronger in to be the top side that we want to be. I don't believe that there's anything very, very close,” he said.

“We have a few weeks left in the window, and we've got probably a busy few weeks ahead from that perspective. 

“I think the biggest challenge, and I know it's a challenge for the supporters as well, we all have to be really united on it going into Sunday, is that players leaving, players coming, rumours in one direction, in the other direction, they all need to be blocked out because we have a really tough start to the season with competitive games. 

“We're not quite in the position that we want to be in for those games and if our focus isn't 100 per cent on the task at hand, then we're going to come up short. 

“What happens in the next few weeks in terms of incomings and outgoings remains to be seen, but our focus here, day to day, has been and needs to be on trying to prepare the players who are here and get ready for the games ahead. 

“And I know with the supporters, with transfer news and things coming in, things going out, there'll be lots of opinions, but I'll just say that everyone coming to the stadium on Sunday, we really need to be together as a group. 

“And if they can bring that top, top support we've had there over the years, it'd be a big, big help for the group and give us a much better chance of getting the performance and the result that we want on Sunday.”

McKenna reiterated that young midfielder Cameron Humphreys could play a significant part in the season with no current thoughts of sending him back out on loan following his successful spell with Wycombe last season.

“The plan is to keep him here as it stands,” he added. “I say as it stands because I've said all along that I think there's going to be movement in both ways between now and the end of the window, and there'll be incomings and there'll be outgoings. And the midfield department I think it's fair to say that will probably be one of those departments.

“But we believe that he can contribute. He's shown that through pre-season, he's shown that before he went on loan, he's shown on loan that he can, we feel he can definitely step up and be a good player in the Championship level.

“So he's an important player for us. With a young player you value highly, there's always a balanced decision to make in terms of the benefits you feel that having them with you and in the environment that you control where you can get the work in that you think they need.

“Which is really, really beneficial as against to the importance for a young player of playing lots of minutes. And you try to balance those decisions up with your young players and try to reach the right conclusions for all parties.

“So at the moment, he's very, very important to us. He's going to be very important to us this season and beyond, irrespective of what happens in the rest of the transfer window.

“But in terms of incomings or outgoings, we're going to have to make assessments over the next few weeks and try and have the appropriate amount of depth.”

Photo: TWTD

ValleyBoyBlue added 17:40 - Aug 15 Basically, calm yet t*TS everyone.... we've got this
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ValleyBoyBlue added 17:40 - Aug 15 Basically, calm yet t*TS everyone.... we've got this
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Bert added 17:51 - Aug 15 Wise words. Everyone’s edgy, reading this that and everything. All that matters is that whoever plays we will them to win.
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flykickingbybgunn added 17:55 - Aug 15 It's best not to make judgements on how well it has all gone until the end of the window.
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oioihardy added 18:10 - Aug 15 Lewis cook and billing, yes please
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Lukeybluey added 18:12 - Aug 15 This is really frustrating because as an ITFC fan and a season ticket holder for many years, not that I'm a hub of knowledge, but I have done a football scouting course and have sent recommendations to them over the years. But I'm definitely not calling myself a professional, or a known specialist or anything like that.. not that they have now with analytics and stats...but I only want the best for the team that I love. As a follower of the Bundesliga I suggested to town last season we sign Anton Stach, centre mid signed by Leeds this season, we could have afforded I'm sure.. I'm confident he'll be a great signing for Leeds.. When I watched us v Dusseldorf , Ao Tanaka centre mid again signed by Leeds, In the championship for £4 million I believe, a centre mid, now tentatively wanted by Newcastle. Tim Kleindienst of Heidenheim we should of signed before Wolfsburg, easily when we we're in the Prem. A tall target man/goal scorer, would've suited the way we play. Niklas Beste is another we should've signed from Heidenheim..he ended up signing for Freiburg. Probably better than what we signed.. I mentiioned years a go that we should we sign Johnny Howson and Bradley Johnson years ago... I even told my mate whos a Norwich supporter, when I watched Leeds v Town at PR, I think Howson was even playing right wing at the time that the two players that stood out a country mile for me is Johnny Howson and Bradley Johnson, I said they're bloody good players and would do well in a Prem team... Norwich then signed both of them when in the Prem and I think they stayed in there for a season or two. Ipswich Town, I'm not calling myself a professional in any way but if I can help in any way to help my local and life long team I will work as a scout for free. I know that there's a lot more analytics and stuff that go into it, but a lot can be said for a hunch and a gut feeling that a player can do well. The thing I have not too much knowledge in is the work permits/ registration... I have a rough knowledge that you can only register 5 loan players/and or overseas players max a season, but I'm not 100% sure... I work full time, but I will for sure work for free for ITFC in my spare time.

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PortmanTerrorist added 18:17 - Aug 15 When you aim high with your targets you have to bide your time as they will hold out for better options until near the end of the window...Hackney may be a case in point and even f not him things are going to go to the wire. Of course the danger is you do not get your targets and rush out and buy a 'Jack Clarke' who may not be a fit....though have a feeling that despite some shocking performances this past week, he may yet do OK on the right...starting Sunday.

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blueboy1981 added 18:58 - Aug 15 State the obvious - I say ! But what’s being done about it before crowds drop to around half what they were last season ???
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blueboy1981 added 19:05 - Aug 15 LukeyBluey ….. you’re wasting your time, such has been volunteered and ignored previously - you’re not supposed to know such relevant, useful, and proven information !!
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AJW1971 added 19:08 - Aug 15 All these ins and outs the concern is it will take 10 to 12 games for everyone to gel, and there isn’t that luxury
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eunos added 19:26 - Aug 15 Wise words from Kieran, we must stick behind the team on Sunday, especially if we go behind. None of knows what 3d chess is really going on in the transfer market, but I work with a Geordie and he raves about Miley - that would be one hell of a signing. It sounds like Kieran has irons in the fire and we have to hold our nerve, be patient and stick together. COYB
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Lukeybluey added 19:43 - Aug 15 I'm just going to say it, we should sign Niklas Dorsch again from Heidenheim... a centre mid who would help us, a more attacking version of Morsy. Fricking tenacious
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Lukeybluey added 19:45 - Aug 15 Please ITFC I want to help
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blueboy1981 added 20:40 - Aug 15 He sounds more like a confused Manager with every statement he makes, not at all sure he has any control whatsoever - time will tell when time itself and excuses run out. All in all another non convincing preparation and start to a Season !!
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tractordamage added 21:10 - Aug 15 We've 'only' got a long 3 weeks left in the transfer window. And we've 'only' got 10s of millions in the wallet now. We're doomed guys. Lots of time to do deals...with loads of money. Pfft. No chance. The End is Nigh...apparently. /s
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Blueknight85 added 22:58 - Aug 15 Need two top Centre backs dont rate Greaves and oshea at all
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Bert added 23:49 - Aug 15 Blueboy forecasting crowds of 15,000. No doubt he will not be attending PR in future.
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shakytown added 05:00 - Aug 16 Bert why would a sad pathetic budgie troll ever go to Portman road?????
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wischip added 08:47 - Aug 16 To me it feels like we are in transition between McKenna first great squad of the Back-To-Backers and hopefully the start of his second great squad, with hopefully still a few that can be in both. Sad to see so many who have given great service leave during one summer but inevitable. Always difficult picking up the pieces from a relegation but looking back on the last time we were relegated from the Premiership in 2002, we are in a far better (financial) state this time to bounce back. It's going to come good again.

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BobbyBell added 09:31 - Aug 16 This transfer window seems to me to drag on far too long into the new season.
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budgieplucker added 14:28 - Aug 16 Cook, Billing or Miley, would be more than top notch at this level. Miley at 19 is a free count from a squad perspective, but will come to play games and will be a loan only. Cook would be a good 3 year investment at 29 and will have a similiar influence to Morsy, and can fluently move between a defensive and a playmaking role. Billing would give physicality and score some goals but would be playing a more advanced role perhaps closer to the one we see from Jack Taylor Can't see us going for more that one of the three, unless we look to adapt to a more 4-3-3 formation.

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blueboy1981 added 14:42 - Aug 16 Bert - learn to read what is actually written before you embarrass yourself, and as for Shaky (whatever he is) I’ve only been going to Portman Road since the 60’s so know what success is, and been there to see it. None of that is what I’m seeing NOW !!! Remember Maidstone and now Bromley ?? - enough said even for Blue Blindfolds !!
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austractor added 16:23 - Aug 16 Id be sad if Woolfy left, he's been with us for so long and always contributes when he gets his chance. He knows the culture inside out and played a big part getting us promoted (twice) so no reason he cant do so again. KM's comments were very measured and fair. Its been a rough off season for both expected and unexpected departures, but Matusiwa and Cajuste were absolutely critical if nothing else got done. The more outgoings concerns me as we have a long and pretty important list of bye byes already. I hope to hell we dont lose Leif, I think with the departures so far he is more important than ever.

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