Dan Neil's Ipswich Town impact assessed following emotional Sunderland exit | OneFootball

Dan Neil’s Ipswich Town spell is taking shape after his January loan, which marked an emotional end to his Sunderland chapter.

According to Sunderland Echo, summer arrivals left him restricted to three substitute outings in the first half of the season, with his only start coming in a Carabao Cup second round defeat to Huddersfield Town. With his contract entering its final six months, several Championship clubs were linked before Ipswich secured a loan for the remainder of the season. He also said in an emotional interview that his time with his boyhood club had ended.

He was an unused substitute for a 1-1 draw with Preston at Portman Road days after arriving. A debut followed seven days later, 15 minutes in a 2-1 win at Derby County.

His first start came in mid-February, a 1-0 FA Cup fourth round defeat at Wrexham. He has since made three starts in all competitions and three further appearances from the bench as Kieran McKenna’s side push for a return to the Premier League.

McKenna said Neil has already started and is ready to come in, praising his tactical adaptation and intelligence. He noted a physical step up and said 90 minutes twice a week would probably be too much too soon, adding he was sure Neil would have a role to play.

Neil reflected that his long Sunderland spell was an unforgettable chapter but he was ready for the next. He felt Ipswich was the right fit after careful thought, and that his style aligns with the manager’s approach.

Source: Sunderland Echo