Rovers take their first ever campaign in League One to The Bolt New Lawn for the first time this weekend welcoming the visit of Ipswich Town.

The Gloucestershire outfit will be looking to build on their impressive 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers in the season opener last week.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Tractor Boys ahead of their trip to GL6.

IN THE DUGOUT: KIERAN MCKENNA

Ipswich gaffer Kieran McKenna became the Blues manager and took his first lead coaching role back in December following the departure of Paul Cook.

Playing for the Tottenham Hotspur academy as a youngster, McKenna was forced to retie aged just 22, at which point he went down the coaching route.

Working his way through the Spurs youth teams, he eventually became the under 18’s manager in 2015 but would depart to the same role at Manchester United a year later.

The former Northern Irish youth international became assistant to Jose Mourinho in 2018 and would stay in the role under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick in the coming seasons.

But on December 16th 2021 McKenna became the Tractor Boys boss, turning round the teams form taking them to an 11th place finish beating the previous seasons point tally by one.

ONE TO WATCH: SAM MORSY

Tractor Boys captain Sam Morsy made the move to Ipswich joining from Middlesbrough last August becoming the clubs 19th signing of the window.

The 30 year old central midfielder came through the youth academy at Wolverhampton Wanderers before joining Port Vale where he kicked off his senior career.

After four years and nearly 80 appearances in Burslem, Morsy moved onto Chesterfield where he most notably helped the side to the 2013/14 League Two title before departing for Wigan Athletic in 2016.

The Egyptian international would go on to play over 150 games for the Latics winning the League One title and Player of the Year award during his four years at the DW Stadium before his one season with Boro.

With a good ability to break up play in the middle of the park Morsy is a vital part of the Ipswich XI and also importantly contributes going forward, getting eight goal involvements in League One last season.

FORM – DWDDL (including 2021/22)

16/04/22 – Rotherham United 1-0 Ipswich Town

19/04/22 – Ipswich Town 2-2 Wigan Athletic

23/04/22 – Crewe Alexandra 1-1 Ipswich Town

30/04/22 – Ipswich Town 4-0 Charlton Athletic

30/07/22 – Ipswich Town 1-1 Bolton Wanderers

FAMILIAR FACE

Wales international and Ipswich Town wing back Wesley Burns spent a short period on loan with Rovers nearly ten years ago.

Then 18 years old, Burns made six appearances for FGR during a one-month temporary spell netting an added time winner in his debut, a 2-1 victory away to Southport.

After further loan spells away from parent club Bristol City, Burns had an impressive four years with Fleetwood Town before heading to Ipswich last summer.

The Cardiff born ace made his international debut for Wales in their Nations League defeat to Poland just over two months ago.

LAST TIME OUT

Ipswich opened their fourth League One season in a row by coming from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Bolton Wanderers in Suffolk.

It was the away side who were given the chance to take the lead on 25 minutes when new signing Leif Davis was judged to bring down Bolton wing back Connor Bradley in the area.

Aaron Morley stepped up and made no mistake from the spot silencing the packed out crowd at Portman Road.

But just over five minutes before the break, McKenna’s side drew level after a smart corner routine gave Lee Evans the space to smash home the equaliser.

And it was the hosts who went on to have the better of proceedings but they couldn’t beat the inform James Trafford who made a number of impressive second half saves.