Manager Paul Hurst wants more Ipswich players to force their way into his plans, after his side beat National League Barnet 1-0.

Victory at the Hive through a second half Myles Kenlock strike was the second win with a clean sheet in four days.

A trip to Milton Keynes on Tuesday is next, but Hurst wants a selection headache by the time his side faces Blackburn in a fortnight.

“Overall, I’d like to see one or two more lads stake a claim. They’ve done OK but I’m looking for a little bit more than that, to really give me the nudge,” he said.

“If I did pick a team and they’re not in it I don’t think they can feel justified in coming to see me and say that they should be playing. There’s certainly more to come.

“The players know what is expected of them, they’ve obviously got little bits of information but not too much. We can’t walk them through every bit of the game.

“Whether it’s Portman Road or New York Stadium, there will be 20,000 at some of those games and we can’t get our message across to the far side, they’re not going to hear that.

“So they’ve got to take certain things on board, but some bits will get nailed down more and more as we get closer.

“And others things you do have to work out. We’re not in a game like American Football where we can stop the game and go through everything.

“I’m still learning about them, and looking at the shape — are we quite getting the messages across? Sometimes yes, sometimes perhaps no. Certain individuals seem to get it more than others, and that’s what pre-season is about.”

The game at the Hive was warm, and was at times quite laboured in front of 922 spectators, but Hurst believed the fixture missed the intensity of a Championship clash.

“It was on a much better surface and it felt more like a proper game,” he added. “I’ll be glad when the season is upon us because three points aren’t at stake, and there are spells in friendlies where it can be a little bit pedestrian — it’s not as high tempo as you are going to see in a competitive league game.

“But it was 90 minutes for some of the lads — not all — and we made quite a few changes there.”

Although Tristan Nydam spent time down on the ground following a clash in the middle, Ipswich left north London without too many scrapes, although Flynn Downes was withdrawn with a bang on the shin.

“It has made his foot go numb. But it’s not on the bone and so we’re not too concerned with that, it’s maybe caught a nerve or something,” said Hurst.

“Tristan took a bit of a heavy one so he’s packed up with ice but we know there’s another quick turnaround for Tuesday against MK.

“Again, it’s another really good stadium, a nice pitch and we’re looking forward to going there.”

Full-back Jonas Knudsen will be back with the squad on Monday having been given time away after the World Cup, while Joe Garner is expected back in training the same day after picking up a knee problem.

“Jonas gives us another defender. He’s a left-back and can play centre-back, in a three or dare I say as a two at the minute. That’s something we can look at,” he added.

“That’s another body, and maybe Garns is back training with us, a couple of other lads who are joining in but won’t be ready for Tuesday certainly.”

Hurst also gave updates on other injuries to the squad, that have so far played no part in the pre-season fixtures.

“Tom Adeyemi’s not training yet [having been sidelined with sore achilles tendons], Emyr Huws is working hard but isn’t ready to go back in yet. He’s joined in some of the very light stuff early in the session,” Hurst revealed.

“Teddy Bishop and Danny Rowe are due back in training tomorrow [Sunday] but not fully, but can take some part in the session. Garns is due to train on Monday, so that’s a positive. “

Photo: PagePix

WaltonBlueNaze added 19:05 - Jul 21 Adeyemi - must be more behind this than we are being told!? How can the guy still be injured/unfit and not even in any kind of training !
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Swn98 added 19:23 - Jul 21 Garns?
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Scottie9 added 19:23 - Jul 21 We looked good out there today but I agree with Hurst, we still need a little oomph from some of the players. There was a couple of defensive errors which luckily didn't lead to a goal but all in all, we played well which I'm sure Hurst will take the win and after all, it's only preseason. Two positive wins against Crawley and Barnet shapes up the next match against MK Dons, where we hopefully impress the manager. COYB

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RedWhiteAndBLUE added 19:30 - Jul 21 With the mention of Jonas possibly operating in a centre role, I wonder if Kenlock has impressed Hurst at LB and Chambo's place may be in question?
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deano85 added 20:19 - Jul 21 Im wondering if he sees knudson as more of a CB, did a job last year, and kenlock seems to be impressing. Plus didnt i read there was roumers of interest in another LB??
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dirtydingusmagee added 20:22 - Jul 21 not feeling overly encouraged by way things are going to be honest. And perhaps im being a bit sceptical but seems to me Hurst is dancing to Evans tune, looking in the basement for players ,my fear is we are going to be playing in the Championship with a league one team, is that the recipe for promotion to Premiership ? not in my book. Got an awful feeling Bart will be working hard for his new pay this season .

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Warkys_Tash added 00:51 - Jul 22 @dirtydingusmagee.. agree it all seems a bit disjointed and very low key..
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GerkensBeard added 06:46 - Jul 22 I for one have been wanting this transfer approach for years. Taking top lower league players with potential who have that hunger to play higher. You do realise that these championship players who will instantly help us fight for promotion are going to cost a lot of money that we don't have. And that we don't have that money this type of recruitment in the past with other clubs has been much more successful than freebies and loans. It's no coincidence that Mick's most successful signings were hungry lower league players. Mings, Cresswell and Webster being those who have earnt the club the most money over the last few years.

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Oldozblue added 09:00 - Jul 22 Should we be worried? Thin squad, losing or scraping a win with National and lower Division sides, possibly selling our best forward with all the replacements coming from Division 1 or 2 or Loans. It is either relegation or Hurst can walk on water. Let's hope ME allows him to buy a bit of Championship Class. I hear Russel Martin is available. Surely not that desperate! Hursty you show us!

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carlo88 added 10:42 - Jul 22 Yes I thought we'd heard the last of Garns, Chambo and Skusey
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Swn98 added 17:11 - Jul 22 mm got slated on here for setting the players up as he did and a few of us commented thats all they were capable of seems we could of been correct as Hurst doesnt seem to impressed with some of the personnel. To replace them with lge1 and 2 players is not the way forward.
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craigyboy10 added 17:26 - Jul 22 We have all been saying for a long time to look in the lower leagues. And I'm glad we are doing so. There are gems to be found. As other teams have proven. I'd rather see a hungry lower league player get his chance then a journeyman from the championship who is happy to be out injured for seasons at a time. Adeyemi? Who knows what gems we might unearth. Either way. Few more in and I'm excited to see how this season will go

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