Ipswich Town new boy Jaden Philogene could come straight into the Tractor Boys' starting lineup when they host Manchester City in Sunday's Premier League contest at Stamford Bridge.
The 22-year-old completed his permanent move to Portman Road from Aston Villa in midweek but did not arrive in time to make his debut in Thursday's 2-0 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion.
However, Kieran McKenna should now have no qualms about throwing Philogene in from the first whistle on Sunday, where he may also be tempted to sacrifice an attacker for an extra defender.
Ipswich lined up with a back five against Arsenal last month, frustrating the Gunners despite suffering a 1-0 defeat, and such a tweak on Sunday could also see Ben Godfrey make his first Premier League appearance for the hosts.
The ex-Everton man would be protecting Christian Walton alongside Leif Davis, Dara O'Shea, Jacob Greaves and Luke Woolfenden, as Axel Tuanzebe is still out with a thigh injury.
Kalvin Phillips cannot face his parent club, so Sam Morsy should fill the void in midfield alongside Jens Cajuste, while Omari Hutchinson is the most obvious candidate to join Philogene up top after returning from a groin issue.
The pair will operate in support of chief attacking threat Liam Delap, who spent five years at Man City from 2019 to 2024 but only made six appearances for the senior team.
Ipswich Town possible starting lineup:
Walton; Woolfenden, Godfrey, Greaves; O'Shea, Cajuste, Morsy, Davis; Hutchinson, Delap, Philogene
> Click here to see how Man City could line up for this game
Ben Knapton
