Ipswich Town have announced that seven members of their first team squad are to leave the club following their relegation to League One.

The club announced their released and retained list on Monday, with The Tractor Boys opting against taking up options on goalkeeper Dean Gerken; defender Jordan Spence and midfield trio Simon Dawkins; Grant Ward and Tom Adeyemi.

It was also confirmed that defender Jonas Knudsen will leave the club, as will fellow centre back James Collins.

Having made 155 appearances for the Tractor Boys, Knudsen is the most senior club man to be leaving Portman Road.

Gerken meanwhile has made 113 appearances between the posts for Ipswich, while Ward has scored eight goals in 98 appearances for Ipswich but hasn't featured since December due to injury.

Spence meanwhile hasn't featured for three months for Ipswich despite being a regular during Paul Lambert's early time in charge of the club. Adeyemi has endured an injury hit time at the club and hasn't appeared since October 2017.

Collins and Dawkins meanwhile have made just a handful of appearances since joining on short term deals in January.

Ipswich endured a nightmare season in the Championship, winning just five league games all season and finishing rock bottom to end a 17 season stay in the second tier.

The verdict

The fact that the some of their more experienced players such as Knudsen and Gerken have been released feels slightly surprising, given the club's desire to keep the majority of their squad together ahead of the drop into the third tier.

It is however less surprising that the likes of Collins; Dawkins and Adeyemi have been moved along, given that they have struggled to make an impact during their time at Portman Road.