Ipswich Town column: Hopeful of new faces arriving as Kieran McKenna’s side prepare to travel to Manchester City

After 22 years away, you’d have thought the Premier League may have been a bit kinder to Ipswich Town on their return to the top flight.

With Liverpool already ticked off, it’s now time for Kieran McKenna’s men to face the toughest test in English football – and arguably the world.

Obviously, it’s great to just be involved in these types of fixtures, but I can’t imagine the manager will see it that way and he will be hoping his side can go and give Manchester City a run for their money.

It’s weird though, isn’t it? Pep Guardiola would’ve spent this week watching videos of Conor Chaplin, Sam Morsy and Wes Burns – with the latter hopefully fit enough to feature.

I’m expecting a long afternoon but you know what? I don’t think getting these two out of the way early is a bad thing.

After City, it’s Fulham, Brighton & Hove Albion and Southampton up next in the league.

Those are three fixtures which you'd like to think Town could snatch some points in.

By this time next month, I’d expect us to be fully under way with our season.

I’m also hopeful there will be a few new faces to watch, adding to the recent bundle of recruits.

We’ve had a fantastic window. It’s been the biggest and best in the club’s history and I don’t think we could’ve asked for much more at this stage.

But as we approach it's final week, clearly Mark Ashton and co aren’t stopping there.

Armando Broja is a great signing from Chelsea. However, a bit like with the addition of Kalvin Phillips, there are question marks over his injury record so we’ll need to keep him fit.

The Albanian frontman fits our system perfectly and is a good age to continue improving under one of English football's most exciting managers.

Bring on Saturday afternoon and bring on the Champions!