3 strikers Ipswich Town should target in January if George Hirst injury is serious | OneFootball

Ipswich Town have had very few serious injury issues to contend with this season, with all of their key players staying relatively fit - which has played a part in their fantastic first half of the 2023-24 campaign.

However, Kieran McKenna has been handed a new blow with striker George Hirst, who has 12 goal contributions in the Championship t o his name, hobbling off against Leicester City on Boxing Day with a suspected hamstring injury.

McKenna has confirmed that the 24-year-old's injury is 'significant' and whilst a scan next week will determine the length of time he is out for, it looks as though it could be months that Hirst is sidelined for - that will mean action needs to be taken in the January transfer window.

With Birmingham loanee Jay Stansfield already linked before Hirst suffered his injury, let's look at THREE other strikers that Town could now look towards in a bid to replace Hirst in the short-term and then potentially compete with him when he returns from his issue.

Callum Marshall

With Dane Scarlett returning to Tottenham after being recalled by Ange Postecoglou for striker cover, a loan spot has opened at Portman Road and that may be the best route for McKenna and his recruitment team to go down in the short-term.

There won't be a mass amount of strikers on the market and available to sign, especially on loan, but there is often a gem waiting for first-team football and Marshall could be that.

The Northern Irish teenager is firing in goals for fun for West Ham in their under-21's, scoring 19 goals in 13 appearances at that level, suggesting that it's now time to make the step into men's football.

Ipswich for the second half of the campaign could be very beneficial for all parties.

Mark O'Mahony

Another young loan option could be O'Mahony, who could very well be the next young prospect to break through into the Brighton first-team if given the time to develop.

His fellow Irishman Evan Ferguson is of course the man the 18-year-old is trying to emulate since his move in January 2023 from Cork City, and this season he has scored nine goals in as many Premier League 2 matches for the Seagulls' under-21's.

Having appeared on the bench a few times already in the Premier League proper, O'Mahony is clearly in Roberto De Zerbi's thoughts, but he could do with a short-term loan deal and this could be a perfect one for him.

Lawrence Shankland

Should Ipswich want to splash out on a permanent alternative for Hirst, then Shankland could be tempted down from Scotland to make a push for the Premier League.

The 28-year-old, who has seven caps for Scotland, still has around a year-and-a-half left on his contract with Hearts but he has been prolific for the Edinburgh outfit - since returning to his home country from Belgium in 2022 he's netted 44 goals in 73 appearances in all domestic and European competitions.

Shankland would cost multiple million pounds, but he could be worth it for Ipswich as they ramp up their pursuit of an attacker.