OFFICIAL;Ipswich Town readying move for 25-year-old star released by Manchester United this summer

Ipswich Town are tipped to succeed upon their return to Championship football but Kieran McKenna will be hopeful of further bolstering his ranks with another signing or two before the window slams shut on September 1st.

The centre of defence is an area that could do with another body. Luke Woolfenden, Cameron Burgess, George Edmundson and Elkan Baggott are the current options, although Harry Clarke and Janoi Donacien can fill in there as well.

The 25-year-old is without a club after leaving Manchester United this summer and TEAMtalk claims that McKenna is hopeful of using his previous links with Tuanzebe to reunite with him at Portman Road. The two worked together at Old Trafford and that could give them the edge in their pursuit of his services.

Tuanzebe has Championship experience and has tested himself at a higher level before too. He could come in and have an instant impact on proceedings and given that he has already worked under McKenna, he’ll know how he operates as a coach, hopefully allowing him to settle there quicker if a move goes through.

It would give Ipswich Town another natural option at the heart of defence and could prove smart as it may well open the door for Elkan Baggott to head out on loan amid rumoured interest from Stevenage.

The Indonesian is tipped for a bright future at Portman Road and he has enjoyed an impressive pre-season but signing another player could open the door for him to head out on loan and find more regular minutes away from Ipswich.

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Bristol Rovers exited the Carabao Cup at the first round stage for the fourth consecutive season, losing 2-0 at Championship side Ipswich Town on Wednesday evening.

Led by Andy Mangan once again amid Joey Barton’s ban, the Gas line up had just three changes from the 1-1 opening day draw at Portsmouth as Tristan Crama and Connor Taylor came in at centre-back and Scott Sinclair on the left wing with Ipswich changing all 11 players from their 2-1 win at Sunderland last weekend.

The hosts started well and took the lead through Jack Taylor with Rovers struggling to lay a threatening marker on the game in the first 45 minutes.

However, the visitors looked brighter in the second half and were unlucky in spells. Ultimately though, Kieran McKenna’s side managed to find the second goal that put the tie beyond doubt as substitute Sone Aluko converted smartly in the area.

The Gas’ next cup commitments will come in the Papa John’s Trophy, starting with a home match against Cheltenham Town on September 5 whilst their next match comes in the league at home to Barnsley on Saturday.

Firstly, let’s put it out there, this result won’t have dire consequences that affect how Rovers fare this campaign. Every Gashead has a right to be frustrated, particularly those who travelled all that way for a regional first round cup tie. However, it doesn’t change much.

If anything, it was another opportunity for the players to learn the new system and gel with one another. Although there are players in the squad who will feel as though they are being deprived of deserved minutes, making three changes gave those who currently sit in the manager’s thinking as regular starters another chance to get themselves accustomed to the style of play.

Of the 11 players that started, five weren’t at the club last season. Yes, a cup run would have been nice but it won’t define this season for the Gas, far from it.

Granted, with competitive football now underway, fans don’t want to see matches treated like friendlies anymore. Not that the club did at all, but it was an opportunity for the players to test themselves against higher-calibre opposition and get more used to playing with each other in a competitive environment. Which leads nicely onto the next point.

The first half really was a shadow of the first 45 produced at Portsmouth. However, against a Championship side and away from home, you can’t expect to keep the ball as much as Rovers did at Fratton Park.

Sure, given that Ipswich made wholesale changes suggests that the Gas should’ve done better but when you look at the players that played for the Tractor Boys, the likes of Marcus Harness, Freddie Ladapo, Aluko and George Hirst amongst others would still be considered as very high level League One players if they were still playing in the third tier.

In the second half, Rovers were able to string more passes together and got in behind more. They were just missing that crucial final pass or took too long to shoot when given space.

On the performance, Mangan said: “Loads of positives. I thought we played ever so well. I thought we were brave on the ball. I think the lads have taken all the information on and there are positive signs. I think we’ll be really good this season.”