Crystal Palace to visit Ipswich Town in pre-season fixture

Ipswich Town have booked Crystal Palace for the previously vacant home friendly on Saturday, July 24 (3pm).

The south London-based Eagles, who will be under new management following long-serving boss Roy Hodgson departing, are one of five confirmed matches Paul Cook's side will have to build up to the 2021/22 season.

It is expected supporters will be able to make their long-awaited Portman Road return for the pre-season fixture, though it is subject to the government not extending Covid-19 restrictions past July 19. A decision on that is set to be based on the latest Covid-19 cases data.

Palace, who include former Town player Connor Wickham in their squad, finished 14th in the 2020/21 campaign.

Ipswich are set to kick off their pre-season campaign with trips to National League South side Dartford on July 10 and League Two Stevenage on July 20 (both 1pm).

After hosting Palace on July 24 Cook's full squad is set to be utilised across two games at Colchester United – who will feature four of Town's released players from 20/21 – on July 27 (5.30pm & 7.45pm).

The final confirmed friendly is back at Portman Road with Championship side Millwall the visitors on July 31 (3pm).

Ipswich's Sky Bet League One campaign is due to kick off on August 7 with the fixtures set for release on Thursday morning.

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