Ipswich Town to host Le Havre in pre‑season friendly at Portman Road

Ipswich Town will host Ligue 1 side Le Havre at Portman Road on Tuesday in a summer pre‑season friendly. The Tractor Boys, who were relegated from the Premier League in the 2024‑25 season after finishing 19th, secured an immediate return to the top flight by winning the Championship on the final day. Manager Kieran McKenna stepped down in June to spend more time with his family and was replaced by former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil, who signed a three‑year contract running to 2029. Ipswich entered the match after a 2‑1 win over Wycombe Wanderers, while Le Havre, who finished three points above the Ligue 1 relegation playoff line for 2025‑26, came off a 1‑1 draw with Stade Lavallois Mayenne.

Key absentees for Ipswich include Azor Matusiwa, Jack Taylor and Harry Clarke, while new signings Daizen Maeda and Kjell Scherpen are awaiting debut. Le Havre will feature goalkeeper Mory Diaw, back from Senegal World Cup duties, and newly‑signed forward Josh Maja, who left West Bromwich Albion.