Ipswich Town will be without winger Omari Hutchinson for this weekend’s clash against Southampton after his move to Premier League Nottingham Forest.
Ipswich Town host Southampton on Sunday afternoon as the Tractor Boys search for their first win of the 2025/26 season.
Birmingham City held Ipswich to a 1-1 draw in the Championship curtain-raiser last weekend after an injury-time penalty from George Hirst.
In midweek, Bromley shockingly beat Ipswich 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out after their 1-1 draw in regular time of the Carabao Cup opening round affair.
Unfortunately for Kieran McKenna, Ipswich will be without Omari Hutchinson against the Saints after his move to Nottingham Forest was confirmed on Saturday.
Omari Hutchinson during Nottingham Forest FC v Ipswich Town FC - Premier League
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Omari Hutchinson sends message to Ipswich Town after Nottingham Forest move
Reports emerged after the Blues draw that Nottingham Forest are set to bid for Leif Davis, but it is his Tractor Boys teammate Hutchinson who has made the move first.
Hutchinson did not play against Bromley in the cup clash amid the speculation regarding his future, and McKenna admitted that his “desire to continue to play Premier League football” was the driving force behind his move.
Earlier in the window, Hutchinson’s move to Brentford fell through, but now their Premier League rivals have capitalised.
After Hutchinson’s £37.5m move to Nottingham Forest was confirmed by the Tractor Boys, the England youth international posted an emotional thank you message to Ipswich on Instagram.
Hutchinson said: “Dear Ipswich Town, It’s hard to put into words, but after 2 years of an unforgettable journey, it’s time for me to say goodbye to you guys.
“I just want to say thank you to everyone at the club for the memories we’ve created and to my teammates I shared a dressing room with.
“Most importantly to Kieran McKenna, I will always be grateful for what you done for me and helping me to become a better player and person.
“Towns fans, I just want to say thank you for the endless love, thank you for believing in me and making this chapter so special. Ipswich will always have a place in my heart.”
Kieran McKenna, Manager of Ipswich Town, looks on
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Kieran McKenna will struggle to replace Omari Hutchinson at Ipswich Town
Hutchinson joined Ipswich on loan from Chelsea ahead of their 2023/24 promotion-winning Championship season before the move was made permanent the following summer.
In his 82 outings for Ipswich, Hutchinson has scored 14 goals and notched seven assists in all competitions.
Now, McKenna and the Ipswich transfer team have the unenviable task of finding a suitable replacement for the former Arsenal prospect.
EFL Analysis have outlined three Hutchinson replacements for Ipswich, but time is of the essence for the Tractor Boys with Southampton and the summer transfer window deadline fast approaching.