Championship preview: Ipswich Town

Tommy Smith
Tommy Smith (right) has gone from strength to strength after coming through Ipswich's youth ranks. Photo: PA

Manager: Paul Jewell

Position last season: 15th

Nickname: The Tractor Boys

Ground: Portman Road

Capacity: 30,311

Players in: Elliott Hewitt (Macclesfield, undisclosed), Luke Chambers (Nottingham Forest, free), Scott Loach (Watford, undisclosed)

Players out: Grant Leadbitter (Middlesbrough, free), Richard Wright (Preston, free), Lee Bowyer, Ibrahima Sonko and Cody Cropper (all released), Mark Kennedy (retired)

Key man: New Zealand international Tommy Smith (pictured right) is Ipswich's bright young thing, and the 22-year-old will be looking to make a name for himself this year. Reliable and versatile, having played at full-back and centre-half last season, he may have a lot of work to do in a team short on defensive quality.

Chances: Jewell will be looking for his Ipswich squad to improve on the two mid-table finishes he has overseen so far. Having only brought three new players to Portman Road, Jewell will need a good start to target a top-half place.

ITV prediction: 21st