Concern raised with Ipswich Town's midfield as Kieran McKenna faces big transfer task | OneFootball

FLW's Ipswich Town Fan Pundit reveals his thoughts on the club not signing a Liam Delap replacement yet

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Ipswich Town have been notably quiet in the transfer market so far with just over four weeks remaining until the Championship season begins - the Tractor Boys have only added 36-year-old goalkeeper David Button to their ranks.

Following Liam Delap's £30m departure to Chelsea, many expected urgent striker reinforcements at Portman Road, but not a single one has arrived in Suffolk yet.

Meanwhile, promotion rivals Birmingham City have been doing a lot of business early. They've signed some big-names - including Kyogo Furuhashi from Rennes, and Demarai Gray is back in the West Midlands after playing in Saudi Arabia for Al-Ettifaq.

Midfield shortage more pressing than striker search for Ipswich Town

FLW's Ipswich Town Fan Pundit, Adam Wilkin, remains unconcerned about the Tractor Boys' lack of striker movement and believes the focus should be elsewhere.

"My biggest concern right now is the lack of midfield signings more than the lack of the striker signings, Wilkin told FLW.

"George Hirst has just signed a new contract and in my mind is potentially likely to start the season leading the line anyway."

Hirst's new four-year deal runs until 2029. The Scotland international has scored 19 goals in 81 appearances for the club, and was reportedly attracting interest from Leeds United and Burnley before committing his future to Portman Road.

Wilkin noted, "Even if new strikers come in, it's fairly likely that even at the start of the season George Hirst will probably be leading the line and whoever the other striker is will slot in as and when.

"We’ve been linked to Premier League loanees and I think they will only happen towards the end of the window because clubs will be waiting around to see if lower Premier League teams will have interest, so I'm not that worried on that movement."

Ipswich Town told to sign some centre-midfielders before Birmingham City game

There's no denying that Ipswich are lacking depth in the middle of the pitch, and numbers could get even slimmer if Sam Morsy is allowed to depart - the 33-year-old Egypt international has reportedly attracted interest from the Middle East.

Wilkin says this area of the pitch is what needs addressing first, "My biggest concern is the middle of the pitch, we definitely need some permanent signings, and we’ve been linked to a ton of midfielders - so I’m not sure what’s holding up those deals.

"If we went into day one with Sam Morsy and Jack Taylor in the middle, especially against Birmingham City who have signed five or six now, it’s a bit of a concern," Wilkin added.

Jack Taylor was the most-used substitute in the top-flight last season, making 32 appearances but starting just four times - he has expressed his desire for more regular football following relegation.

Ipswich Town not at panic stations just yet

Despite the concerns, Wilkin remains relatively relaxed about the current situation. "I’m not unduly worried yet given the Premier League season finished later, our pre-season friendlies don’t start for another week or two," he explained.

"If we’ve not got anyone in by then, iId panic a bit more but right now not too much stress." Manager Kieran McKenna previously indicated that pre-season planning was "well underway" and that the squad would have five weeks off between seasons.

Reports suggest there's a potential return for midfielder Jens Cajuste, who spent last season on loan at Portman Road, though any deal would need to be hijacked from Turkish side Besiktas.

As the 25/26 Championship season approaches, Wilkin's confidence in Ipswich's measured approach to the window will surely be tested - as it may well determine the Sussex outfit's chances of an immediate return to the top-flight.