Ipswich keen on signing Player of the Season nominee as Christian Walton replacement

Ipswich Town want to sign a new goalkeeper to replace Christian Walton regardless of whether they are promoted from the Championship, and they are eyeing a move for Coventry City loanee Carl Rushworth.

Ipswich took another huge step towards promotion on Saturday, cruising to a 2-0 victory against bitter rivals Norwich City at Carrow Road, with Jaden Philogene and George Hirst getting on the scoresheet in the first half.

Kieran McKenna was left delighted by his side’s performance, which puts them in a very strong position to return to the Premier League at the first opportunity, saying: “We know how hard it is to come here and the boys were so determined to give themselves and the supporters that moment and memories. It took a brilliant defensive performance – we defended so well from the front to the back, both in open play and from set-plays.

“We had the better chances in the game and were clinical in terms of our moves. It was a different type of performance for us and, in the context of the Derby, an outstanding effort.”

With Middlesbrough falling to a 1-0 defeat at home against Portsmouth, and Millwall drawing 0-0 at West Bromwich Albion, the Tractor Boys are now in second place, two points clear of Alex Neil’s side with two games in hand.

However, McKenna knows full well just how difficult it is to stay in the Premier League, which means the manager needs to get his recruitment right this summer, and the Championship promotion hopefuls are planning to bring in a new goalkeeper.

Ipswich enter race to sign Coventry star Carl Rushworth

According to reporter Alan Nixon (via GiveMeSport), Ipswich have now stormed into the race to sign Brighton goalkeeper Rushworthwho has spent the 2025-26 campaign on loan at Coventry City, where he has impressed.

The 24-year-old has just been nominated for the Championship Player of the Season award, having not missed a single game for Frank Lampard’s side, who are also on the cusp of promotion, despite drawing 0-0 at home against a struggling Sheffield Wednesday side on Saturday.

The Tractor Boys are looking to replace Walton, regardless of whether they get over the line in their promotion bid, and the Englishman could be an exciting option, having been lauded as “absolutely sensational” by writer Andrew Jamesin light of keeping 16 Championship clean sheets this term.

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The Tractor Boys want to bring in a new centre-forward.

Although McKenna’s side can almost taste promotion, they still have six more massive games left to play, starting with the long journey down to Fratton Park to take on Portsmouth on Tuesday night.

Following that, there are some tough games on the horizon for Ipswich, facing promotion rivals and an in-form West Bromwich Albion side, who have been fighting for their lives.