Defensive deficiencies: Ipswich predicted XI vs. Chelsea

Ipswich Town are expected to be without the services of defender Conor Townsend for the trip to Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.

The former West Bromwich Albion man was forced off due to an issue during the latter stages of the 2-1 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend.

As a result, Townsend could be set to watch the Stamford Bridge match from the sidelines, with promotion-winning hero Leif Davis preparing to enter the XI.

Despite the damaging defeat to the Black Country outfit at Portman Road, the Tractors Boys are set to stick with a centre-back pairing of Dara O'Shea and Cameron Burgess.

There is also likely to be continuity at the top end of the pitch, where Manchester United-linked Liam Delap has netted 12 Premier League goals so far.

With the likes of Sammie Szmodics (ankle) and Omari Hutchinson (hamstring) occupying spots in the medical room, Ben Johnson is set to retain his spot on the right wing.

The Tractor Boys are also without the shot-stopping abilities of Arijanet Muric (shoulder), meaning that winter arrival Alex Palmer is a certainty to start in between the sticks.