"He cost a lot of money" - Pundit issues Kieffer Moore claim amid Ipswich Town promotion push | OneFootball

After yet another round of Championship fixtures, the automatic promotion race saw even more twists in the enthralling battle for Premier League football.

Ipswich Town have been the feel-good story within the second tier this season, having gone toe-to-toe with the three sides relegated out of the Premier League last term, in the form of Leicester City, Leeds United and Southampton.

After going top of the table following their dramatic Easter Monday victory against the Saints, Town would have been more than frustrated to lose their grasp on first place straight away, as they were below-par in the East Anglian Derby against Norwich City, losing 1-0 through a long-distance free-kick from Marcelino Nunez.

Whilst the defeat meant that Ipswich's hoodoo against their local rivals will continue for at least another year, there was one positive to come from the loss at Carrow Road.

That came in the form of Kieffer Moore's availability, as the Welshman faced a race against time to feature in the encounter after suffering a back injury in the 4-3 win over Southampton last week.

After sustaining it in the early stages of the game, Kieran McKenna was unable to give a specific time-frame on when the striker would next be available.

“I think it all locked up, so that isn’t great, so we’ll have to see how he is over the next few days. But I haven’t had a report yet.," the Ipswich boss told TWTD, before claiming that it would have been unlikely to see him involved in the fierce encounter.

However, whilst the 31-year-old failed to make a significant impact on proceedings, the fact he was able to clock up 75 minutes ahead of the remainder of the run-in will be important for the Tractor Boys, who failed to significantly test Angus Gunn on Saturday afternoon.

Carlton Palmer issues Kieffer Moore, Ipswich Town verdict

As previously mentioned, the race for promotion saw yet another twist unfold on Saturday. But, although Ipswich suffered just their second loss since February 3, Carlton Palmer believes Moore's return to the side will be key to the Blues' five remaining fixtures.

"The Championship has ended up with a fantastic automatic promotion race between now and the end of the season," Palmer told Football League World.

"Leicester City have gone back to the top of the table on 88 points, rekindling their form by winning the last two games. Ipswich sit second on 87 points, and Leeds are in third on 86, which sees a fascinating race to see who gets the two automatic promotion places.

"Its great news for Ipswich Town that Kieffer Moore will be fit for the run-in. The loan signing from Bournemouth has six goals in 12 games and has been a revelation since joining. He's going to be instrumental in the run-in," Palmer continued.

"They need his leadership from the front, his ability to hold the ball up and his goals. His know-how of the league has been outstanding since returning to Ipswich.

"They need to keep him fit until the end of the season, as if they don't go up automatically, they'll be in the play-offs, and he is a big signing for them.

Palmer concluded: "He cost a lot of money on loan, a loan fee plus the majority of his wages. They need to have him fit."

Kieffer Moore's influence could be key for Ipswich Town's promotion push

As Palmer alluded to, Moore's influence on this Ipswich side could be vital in their quest for promotion, regardless of whether its achieved automatically or via the play-offs.

The 31-year-old is also one of a minority within this Town squad who have experienced this scenario in their career to date, having won promotion with AFC Bournemouth back in the 2021/22 season, and it's pivotal that knowledge is passed on to the rest of the squad.

But ultimately, it's his knowhow of being in the right place at the right time, as well as giving Town an attacking focal point, and his link-up play with the wide players in McKenna's dynamic system has also been second-to-none since his January arrival.

He and the rest of the squad have a short time to dwell over Saturday's derby disappointment, as they take on Watford at Portman Road on Tuesday night, who have improved under the temporary management of Tom Cleverley.