Ipswich Town are preparing for the 25/26 season. Stuart Watson takes a look at the Championship squad rules and how that will impact summer recruitment...

SQUAD LIMIT

Town will be able to name a maximum of 25 senior players for the 2025/26 campaign.

On top of that, their squad can include an unlimited number of permanently contracted Under-21 players (those born on or after January 1, 2004).

All loan players - regardless of age - count towards the 25-man limit. 

Cameron Humphreys could help Ipswich fulfil their 'club produced' matchday quota, though he would also take up a senior slot.Cameron Humphreys could help Ipswich fulfil their 'club developed' matchday quota, though he would also take up a senior slot. (Image: PA)

MATCHDAY RESTRICTIONS

Each 20-man matchday squad in the Championship must:

- Contain a maximum of five loan players.

- Include at least seven 'homegrown' players. That's someone who was with an English/Welsh FA affiliated club for 3+ seasons before the age of 21. Every player in Ipswich's squad ticks that box.

- At least one 'club developed player' (someone who was with the club at least 12 months prior to the end of their Under-19 season). Of the current first team squad, Luke Woolfenden, Harry Clarke, Elkan Baggott and Cameron Humphreys all meet that criteria. If a 'club developed' player isn't named, then you have to name a smaller eight-man bench.

Wes Burns was deregistered from Town's squad for the second half of last season after suffering an ACL injury in January. Wes Burns was deregistered from Town's squad for the second half of last season after suffering an ACL injury in January. (Image: PA)

LAST SEASON

The 25-man squad that Town named following the end of last summer's transfer window was as follows: Muric, Walton, Slicker; Tuanzebe, Johnson, H.Clarke; O'Shea, Greaves, Woolfenden, Burgess; Davis, Townsend; Morsy, Cajuste, Phillips, Taylor, Luongo; Burns, Ogbene, Chaplin, Szmodics, J.Clarke, Broadhead; Hirst, Al-Hamadi.

Both Omari Hutchinson (DOB: Oct, 2003) and Liam Delap (DOB: Feb, 2003) didn't have to be registered due to their age.

A fresh 24 man squad was named after the January transfer window closed. Four players - Ali Al-Hamadi (loaned to Stoke), Harry Clarke (loan to Sheffield United), Wes Burns (knee injury) and Chiedozie Ogbene (Achilles injury) - were all deregistered, with three January signings - Alex Palmer, Ben Godfrey and Jaden Philogene - all added. Julio Enciso didn't count because of his age (DOB: Jan, 2004).

Omari Hutchinson turned 21 last year and, as a result, is now considered a senior player.Omari Hutchinson turned 21 last year and, as a result, is now considered a senior player. (Image: Ross Halls)

TOWN'S CURRENT NUMBERS 

Three of the aforementioned - Liam Delap, Cameron Burgess and Massimo Luongo - have departed this summer, while four players - Harry Clarke, Cameron Humphreys, Al-Hamadi and Elkan Baggott - have returned from loans.

Ogbene is set to return to training this summer, while Burns will hopefully be back in action later in the year. Hutchinson (DOB: Oct, 2003) and Humphreys (DOB: Oct, 2003) are now considered senior players having both turned 21 last year.

As it currently stands, the Blues have 26 'senior' players. They are: Palmer, Muric, Walton, Slicker; Tuanzebe, Johnson, H.Clarke; O'Shea, Woolfenden, Greaves, Baggott; Davis, Townsend; Morsy, Taylor, Humphreys; Burns, Ogbene, Philogene; Hutchinson, Chaplin; Szmodics, J.Clarke, Broadhead; Hirst, Al-Hamadi.

WHAT'S REQUIRED...

In my recent big squad assessment piece I came to the conclusion that Town could sign between five and seven players this summer. The break down of that was x1 left-sided centre-back, x2/3 central midfielders, x1 versatile attacker and x1/2 strikers.

During a subsequent discussion on a recent King of Anglia podcast, we came to the conclusion that, as it stands, 3-5 were required. So let's say, for argument's sake, it's five additions.

By now you've probably done the maths: 26 + 5 = 31... Clearly some further trimming is needed to accommodate fresh blood.

Axel Tuanzebe is set to become a free agent next week.Axel Tuanzebe is set to become a free agent next week. (Image: Ross Halls)

HOW TO CUT

Axel Tuanzebe's future is obviously up in the air. He's been offered a new contract at Portman Road, but is set to become a free agent on July 1. Turkish club Trabzonspor have made their interest public.

There's no way Town will carry four senior goalkeepers next season. I'd imagine Aro Muric will depart, either permanently or on loan, while Slicker will go out on loan.

Keeper coach Rene Gilmartin likes having three keepers to work with, but squad numbers are tight. The solution would be to have an Under-21 as third choice - either recruited or promoted from within. If both Palmer and Walton were to be unavailable at the same time, then 'emergency goalkeeper' rule could be used to bring in another on a short-term basis.

If the Blues are to sign a Burgess replacement then Baggott would go out on loan again to counteract that in terms of squad numbers.

If two strikers are signed then Al-Hamadi would probably leave in some capacity. If multiple midfielders arrive then Humphreys could be loaned out again.

There's obviously a chance that one or two more key men will be sold, something chairman Mark Ashton has alluded to. Someone could yet trigger England U21 star Hutchinson's £35m relegation release clause, while there is reported interest in Leif Davis, Dara O'Shea, Sam Morsy, Sammie Szmodics, George Hirst and Ben Johnson.

Signing players born in 2004 or later is also an option if McKenna wants a bigger squad than 25. Man City striker Divin Mubama, among those being considered, is 20.

SUMMARY

With no more major sales, here's how I see a 25-man squad shaping up for Town at the end of the 2025 summer transfer window:

1: Palmer

2: Walton

+ Under-21 third choice keeper

3: Johnson

4: H.Clarke

5: O'Shea

6: Woolfenden

7: Greaves

8: + New CB

9: Davis

10: Townsend

11: + New CM

12: Morsy

13: Taylor

14: Humphreys (or a new signing with CH loaned out again)

15: Burns

16: Ogbene

17: Philogene

18: Hutchinson

19: Chaplin

20: Szmodics

21: J.Clarke

22: Broadhead

23: Hirst

24: + New ST

25: Al-Hamadi (or a new signing and AAH is loaned out again)

+ Extra midfielder/attacker if they or the striker signing is Under-21

Exits to accomdate the above: Muric (loan/sale), Slicker (loan), Tuanzebe (rejects contract), Baggott (loan).