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Three To Watch: The trio of Ipswich players worth keeping an eye on v Sunderland today

A powerful forward, a £10m-rated defender and a former England youth international are the three players worth keeping an eye on when Ipswich take on Sunderland today.

Fleetwood Town v Ipswich Town - Sky Bet League One Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts - CameraSport via Getty Images

Kayden Jackson

19/20 Games/Goals: 32/9

The powerful striker is finding his feet at Portman Road after a difficult first year at the Tractor Boys. He became Accrington Stanley’s first £1m sale when Paul Hurst took him to the Championship last season but, alongside the club itself, he struggled for form as the club plummeted out of the second tier.

However, he put in the work in the summer and returned to the club in far better form, notching close to double figures in pre-season - form which he took into the season. His recent form has hit the buffers, with only three goals in 15 games, but he’ll be looking to put that right this afternoon.

Tall, strong and athletic, an on form Jackson is Ipswich’s key player and his performance could be a deciding factor in today’s game.

Kayden Jackson of Ipswich Town during the Sky Bet League One... Photo by Richard Calver/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Luke Woolfenden

19/20 Games/Goals: 30/1

Woolfenden enjoyed a successful loan spell at League Two’s Swindon Town last year, immediately forcing his way into Paul Lambert’s plans on his return.

Born and bred in Ipswich, the youngster has been with the Tractor Boys since the age of 11 and the East Anglian club are finally seeing his ability in the club’s first team this season.

He was linked with Premier League Sheffield United in the January transfer window, forcing Ipswich to place a £10m price-tag on his head, and is thought to be on the shopping list of several clubs in the summer. He’s capable of playing at full-back too, but has featured for Lambert’s side exclusively at the heart of the defence since breaking into the team.

Luke Woolfenden of Ipswich Town in action during the Sky Bet... Photo by Richard Calver/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Flynn Downes

19/20 Games/Goals: 27/2

Another Ipswich Academy product that has shone in the club’s League One campaign is Downes, who has recently formed a solid partnership with Emyr Huws in Town’s engine room. Part of England’s under-19 squad back in 2017, Downes has been highly thought of in East Anglia since he was signed to the club’s books at the age of just seven.

He spent time on loan at Nathan Jones’ Luton Town and played 10 games in the League Two’s title winning side.

Tidy in possession, he’s also strong on the ball and can dictate play from the centre of midfield. He’s also became Ipswich Town’s youngest ever captain, aged 20, when he took the armband in the recent FA Cup defeat to Coventry City.

Coventry City v Ipswich Town - Emirates FA Cup - Second Round - St Andrew’s Trillion Trophy Stadium Photo by Tim Goode/EMPICS/PA Images via Getty Images

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