Town boss Kieran McKenna says there will be movement both in and out of Portman Road before the transfer window closes but wouldn’t be drawn on the club’s interest in Everton striker Ellis Simms.

Quizzed on whether he’s looking to add further to his squad, having added midfielder Jack Taylor already, McKenna said: “Yes, that’s the plan. The club are working hard. We know what we want to add in terms of profiles and positions.

“They’re working hard, but it takes time. We want to add the right players, we have plenty of depth, so it’s about adding different qualities that we want. The club are working on it but we feel that we can still improve the squad, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”

McKenna dismissed the suggestion that a striker is his priority: “No, we’ve got a few different positions and profiles that we’re looking for.

“Of course, we had a striker on loan last year [George Hirst] and we’re missing that position, so it’s an easy one to identify, we’re looking at a few different positions across the pitch.”

Everton’s Ellis Simms is known to be on Town’s list of potential recruits although with claims of £4 million bids understood to be wide of the mark.

The 22-year-old is also believed to interesting a number of other clubs, including his former loan side Sunderland, while Swansea City are the latest to be linked.

Asked about Simms, McKenna said: “Not our player, there’s lots of speculation at this time of year and it’s not our place to speak about any players from other clubs.

“A lot of speculation that goes out is incorrect. We certainly won’t comment on it until anything is further down the line.”

While McKenna has plans to add, there’s currently not a lot of wriggle room with the Blues limited to a 25-man squad for the Championship, although with players under 21 not included in that number.

The Blues boss admits that that’s likely to see players departing: “I think you have to look at the squad with the club and with the players and find what’s best.

“Players want to play and we have big numbers with what’s happened over the last couple of years, so we have to find the right outcome for the squad and for the players.

“We want the squad to have good depth but we want it to be competitive and that everyone feels they can play and they can get minutes and they’re competing for a place and unless we trim the numbers a little bit from where we are now, then we won’t be able to have that.

“So I think in reality there will be movement both ways to find what’s right for the squad and also to find what’s right for the individual players.”

Photo: Action Images

Suffolkboy added 16:55 - Jul 1 Who moves out ,and then who we choose to import will prove exceptionally interesting : it's a huge new challenge . Physicality , character and technique will be at a different level of premium ,but we definitely have the Management Team and Coaching capacities to get the very best out of the ITFC resources . Anyone coming in will undoubtedly be a great and careful choice ,and will improve and contribute ; it's a terrific team effort here ! COYB

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potter added 17:28 - Jul 1 I'd imagine Piggot, Camara and El-Mizouni would be one's on the move out of the door
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ArnieM added 17:37 - Jul 1 I think we could be in for a couple of surprise departures tbh , IF Simms is a true incoming target. There's no room for sentiment in this game anymore, and players we bring in this window will be for half an eye on PL level too. There maybe one of two in the current squad that the step up to the Championship level might be a bit of stretch for them, let alone PL …
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Warkystache added 17:46 - Jul 1 I think we'll keep Panutche. Could be a star next season now fit. Mine to leave: Evans Pigott El Mizouni (loan) Donacian Humphreys (loan) Harness Ball Leigh Hladky I also think we might get a bid for Edmundson
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ArnieM added 17:50 - Jul 1 IF we were to bring in Simms AND Hirst , I can see Ladapo and Jackson leaving . I also feel we will be in for a CB (maybe two)
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warfarinman69 added 18:00 - Jul 1 I think Ball may stay as Central Defender cover. I can't easily see Leigh going unless there's a top player out there available. Harness might go, a good player, but lightweight- although I think McKenna likes him
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billlm added 18:03 - Jul 1 I don't think làdapo will go, But I agree we will still bring two strikers in,
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Stato added 18:07 - Jul 1 Really pleasing to hear KM recognise that squad was too large last season. I don't have any opinion on who could or should go but I'd definitely would welcome a smaller squad next season as KM seems to imply.
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MickMillsTash added 18:08 - Jul 1 I would not be surprised to see us try to move these 3 on / I can't see us playing any of them wages might be a problem Jackson Edmundsen Ball
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terryf added 19:07 - Jul 1 I think both Edmundsen and Ball have a lot to offer, especially with Championship expereince but can also see a quality defender on McKenna's radar. Would not be surprised to see us go after the Crystal Palace lad and maybe another 10 which would put both Jackson and Harness down the pecking order. Up front is very lightweight at present so at least one possibly two centre-forwards could be on McKenna's wish list. Peripheral players will be the first to go either permanently or on loan and then it will be a case of decisions on those who will not see much game time. It's all about improving the overall quality of the Squad but the basis of our Team is already in the Building.

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RobsonWark added 19:39 - Jul 1 For me, the obvious candidates to move on are Jackson and Ball. Jackson said in an interview when the players came back for pre season training "I think everyone knows that running is one of my strong points". Well maybe try athletics.
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Nomore4 added 19:51 - Jul 1 No chance Camara going anywhere. A fit Camara = one of the best midfielders in the Championship.
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the_toff added 19:59 - Jul 1 We have too much cover in the middle so surely 1 of Evans or Camara will go. Pigott definitely, has he even come back for pre season training? El Mizouni, Baggott and Humphreys might all go out on loan. Then I wouldn't be surprised if a couple go out of Jackson, Harness, Donacien. So maybe 4 ‘senior' players out and 3 kids on loan. That would give us the room to bring a few in.

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gazzaipswich added 20:01 - Jul 1 No mention of Burns and Burgess, already injured? Or on their way out!
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dusth added 20:12 - Jul 1 Camara must have a chance - he has a great reputation when fit. I don't see Evans going yet. I think there are names not on anybody's list that will surprise. There are just a few games when Jackson's pace could be a game changer. No pun intended. The picture will clarify when we see who comes in. I will be surprised if we are looking for another LB. I would like Hurst back and the silence on that front is ... interesting.

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Alberto_the_frog added 20:13 - Jul 1 He speaks as if Hirst is lost to us. May also be revealing that Ball played in defence today
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dusth added 20:21 - Jul 1 Maybe I'm wrong about George Hirst but I haven't heard anything definitive.
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IpswichT62OldBoy added 20:23 - Jul 1 Hirst should be our target.
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suffolkblueeye added 22:36 - Jul 1 Two top class strikers, ladapo could sell for a few quid given the goals he scored last season, but not championship level, also have to consider age. Ball and Jackson to go also…
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suffolkblueeye added 22:37 - Jul 1 Definitely keep camara
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KiwiTractor added 00:03 - Jul 2 With 9 on the bench, Ball should definitely be kept - with his experience and ability to play midfield and defence. He's the type of player to come on and close out a game. IMO, we should look at sending El Miz and Baggott out on loan. And Pigott to leave permanently. Would also look to upgrade Jackson and Harness for better if we can find the right players.
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Tractor_Boy_in_HK added 04:22 - Jul 2 Keep Ball, when fit he's versatile and experience will help us. Evans, Jackson, Pigott should move on. Leigh and Harness, perhaps, but unlikely. I'd like to keep Edmundson but would see us taking it if a good bid came in.
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KiwiTractor added 07:17 - Jul 2 I'm a little surprised by the number of fans saying Evans should be sold - he was very good at the start of last season before he was injured. We will have injuries, suspensions and drops in form to deals with this season, I think he has a part to play.
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planetblue_2011 added 09:43 - Jul 2 I think Jackson, Pigott & maybe Evans could go🤷‍♂️ Only saying Evans because of his injuries, I do like him as a player. Think Donacien & Leigh will be used as back up players if any injuries to Clarke & Davis. They won't go! Can't sell Harness he's a good player he will still fight for a place. Ball could be used as a centre back & cover for midfield, so he's a good player to keep hold of. Edmundson is the ?? We might cash in on him but still feel he is a decent player for us. 4 could maybe go with maybe 3 quality replacements as already signed Taylor. Striker & centre back will be the main targets on the list👍

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Bazza8564 added 13:31 - Jul 2 Hirsts release clause (irrelevant after LCFC were relegated) totalled 7m with add ons so thats probably why we haven't heard. My money is still on Simms comin, the other clubs mentioned don't have the money, nor a debt free balance sheet. Patience will be everything we will get our targets, we always do
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