Ipswich Town are set for a defining season in the Championship this season and current manager Mick McCarthy will be looking to build on the foundation of a solid defence.

The Tractor Boys finished in 7th place just one spot outside the play-off positions and even though it was generally seen as a positive season their fans will be concerned that they dropped down one position on the previous season.

One area McCarthy will undoubtedly want to improve on is at the back. Their defensive record was not appalling last season conceding 51 goals in their 46 league games. However, when that is compared to the likes of Middlesbrough who conceded just 31 goals and Burnley who let in just 35 goals then there is clearly room for improvement.

Goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski was awarded the Players' Player of the Year award which shows how highly he is thought of within the club but what about the back-line in front of him?

Football League World writer Steve Day takes a look at which players would make the dream defensive line-up for Mick McCarthy's Ipswich Town this coming season.

RB - Luke Chambers

It goes without saying that as club captain it is Chambers who will be one of the first names on the team sheet. It was not that long ago that he was being tipped as one of the best up and coming defenders in the Football League when his displays at former club Nottingham Forest were attracting the attention of Premier League sides.

Some might find it hard to believe that Chambers is still only 30-years-old as it seems like he has been around for ages. The wealth of experience he will bring to the Ipswich Town set-up this season will be crucial if McCarthy's men are able to fulfil their desire to break into the top six places and reach the play-offs this season.

At the end of last season, Chambers told the fans that he did not want his club to rely on huge amounts of money to bring in players in an effort to gain promotion. This not only shows how Chambers knows that money cannot buy success but it also shows how much faith he has in the current defenders at the club to get the job done.

CB - Adam Webster

The signing of Webster from League Two club Portsmouth is a potential game-changer for the Tractor Boys. He was being linked to a number of Premier League clubs after impressing for Pompey this season as they reached the League Two Play-Offs.

At just 21-years-old, Webster is carving himself a fine reputation within football. He is now rated as one of the best young prospects in the Football League and his £700,000 transfer to Ipswich will give him the chance to perform at a higher level and show what he can do. It is another step closer to Premier League football whether that is with Ipswich or with another club.

Webster has notched up youth international caps with England Under-18s and England Under-19s. He has also been scouted by Gareth Southgate for England under-21s. It seems likely he could slot in to the Ipswich back-line if he enjoys an impressive pre-season.

CB - Baily Cargill

This is perhaps the most controversial decision. It is likely that long-serving Ipswich centre backs Christophe Berra and Tommy Smith will be battling it out for a starting spot. Berra was voted the Supporters' Player of the Season in 2013/14 and Smith is the longest serving player at the club.

However, Berra has a reputation for being solid but with the potential to hit some bad patches of form and make crucial mistakes. Smith is also a player who is capable enough but is he the answer for a team that wants to go up to the next level.

AFC Bournemouth's Baily Cargill is a very highly-rated centre back who would be available on loan from the Premier League club. If he isn't pushing Steve Cook and Tommy Elphick for a starting spot this season in the top flight then he will be a brilliant acquisition for a team looking to fight for promotion in the Championship.

It would be a gamble with the young Knudsen and Webster also in the back four but the potential of this lad is incredible. He impressed on loan at League One Coventry last season and it now feels the next natural step is Championship football.

LB - Jonas Knudsen

If you grew up playing Football Manager and needed a cheap yet quality signing to come in to your defence then you knew that the place to find these hidden gems was Scandinavia. Clearly, big Mick has done his research because signing Knudsen back in the summer of 2015 was a stroke of genius.

The Danish left back was ever-present for Ipswich last season and even managed to chip in with the odd goal and assist. He has made the spot his own over the last year and is one of the most highly-rated full backs in the Championship.

Having taken full advantage of Kevin Conboy's departure to NEC back in 2011, Knudsen established himself as a first team regular at Esbjerg where he played over 120 games for the Danish SuperLiga club. He is only 23-years-old but already plays with the nous of a player beyond his years.

Ipswich Town fans, would you welcome this back four for next season? Who else would you like to see included? Let us know in the comments below!!