Former Crystal Palace, Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town defender Mark Hudson joins Kieran McKenna’s backroom staff as Ipswich Town set to field Under-21s against Borussia Mönchengladbach

Ipswich Town have bolstered Kieran McKenna’s first-team coaching staff with the addition of Mark Hudson.

The former Crystal Palace, Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town defender arrives at Portman Road as a set-play and first-team coach as the Blues prepare to embark on their first Premier League campaign in 22 years.

The 42-year-old, who made more than 400 senior appearances during his playing career, was manager of the Bluebirds from September 2022 to January 2023 and has also taken charge of the Terriers on a caretaker basis.

Hudson most recently spent the 2023/24 season as part of Sheffield United’s coaching staff.

Meanwhile, Town will field an Under-21s side for today’s (Friday’s) friendly against Borussia Mönchengladbach in Germany (1.30pm BST).

A statement from the club revealed this will ‘allow the majority of McKenna’s squad to play significant minutes as a unit’ when they face Hoffenheim in Kufstein tomorrow (12.30pm BST).

Following their trip to Germany, the Blues will host OGC Nice at Portman Road on Saturday, August 10 (12.30pm) before their curtain-raiser against Liverpool.