As mentioned, Ipswich’s main priority as things stand will be to concentrate on the football, as they look to get into one of the two automatic promotion spots.

But, as the season nears its end, Ipswich will have to start looking forward to next season, and therefore, decisions will need to be made on players’ futures, with Burgess definitely fitting into the category.

The Tractor Boys do have protection, as previously stated, as the club can trigger the one-year option in his contract but given how well the defender has played and how important he has become, Ipswich may need to look beyond the one-year option they have and agree to a new contract.

When he first joined the club, Burgess played for Ipswich but was in and out of the side, as he only played 21 times in League One.

But last season and now in this campaign, the 28-year-old has become a key member of McKenna’s team. He played 33 times as the club were promoted from League One last season, and in this campaign, Burgess has started all 28 league games he has been available for.

Burgess has been at Portman Road since the summer of 2021, joining the club from Accrington Stanley.

Before moving to Ipswich Town, Burgess played for a host of other sides, such as Fulham, Oldham Athletic, Scunthorpe United, Salford City, and Accrington.

The defender impressed in his single season with Stanley, and that was what earned him his move to Ipswich. Since joining the Tractor Boys, Burgess has gone on to become a key player for the club.

The 28-year-old signed a three-year contract when he joined the club in 2021, meaning his deal comes to an end after this season.