Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has explained why defender Ben Johnson has struggled for minutes this season, despite being fully fit and training well.
The 25-year-old full-back has made just 4 appearances in all competitions, with competition from Darnell Furlong and veteran Ashley Young limiting his opportunities ahead of the Addicks’ visit to Portman Road.
What Happened and Why It Matters
McKenna confirmed ahead of the Championship clash with Charlton Athletic that Johnson’s absence from the starting 11 is not down to injury or attitude, but purely down to depth and form in defensive areas.
We are delighted to confirm the signing of Ben Johnson on a free transfer.
The defender has penned a four-year deal at Portman Road and will begin working with the first-team group immediately. 👊
— Ipswich Town (@IpswichTown) July 1, 2024
Having been signed from West Ham United in the summer of 2024, Johnson featured heavily in last season’s Premier League campaign but has been unable to establish himself since the club’s return to the second tier.
“Ben’s fit and he’s been training really well, I have to say. Of course, there’s stiff competition at right-back with Darnell and Ashley having done well in their games since they came into the team,” said McKenna.
“Ben we know is a really versatile player, has been training really well, both at left-back and higher up on the right-hand side as well. We know he can give us good options in those positions as well as at right-back.”
The Ipswich boss went on to praise the professionalism of those on the fringes of the squad, describing the group as one of the strongest he has managed in terms of fitness and application. The only long-term absentees remain Wes Burns and Conor Townsend, both sidelined with ACL injuries.
That level of availability has created fierce competition, particularly in the defensive wide areas. Johnson’s adaptability has seen him work across multiple roles in training, but Furlong and Young’s recent consistency has kept him out of the starting line-up.
Reaction, Impact, and What Comes Next
McKenna’s handling of the situation reflects his wider approach to squad rotation, one that helped Ipswich through a busy schedule during their previous three-game week. The manager made 6 changes for the midweek clash against Bristol City earlier in the season, and more switches are expected across the coming fixtures as Town aim to balance intensity with freshness.
Johnson, meanwhile, is thought to be maintaining a positive attitude despite his frustration at the lack of minutes. The defender signed a 4-year contract until 2028 and remains part of the club’s long-term plans.
Congratulations to the @SkyBet Championship Manager and Player of the Month for September! 👏
🏆 Kieran McKenna – @IpswichTown
🏆 Oli McBurnie – @HullCity #EFL | #SkyBetChampionship pic.twitter.com/D7fzPPz5he— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) October 10, 2025
However, with the January window approaching, his situation will be one to monitor closely. Should opportunities continue to be limited, McKenna and the recruitment team may face a decision on whether to sanction a short-term move to ensure regular football.
For now, the Northern Irishman insists that patience will be rewarded, with rotation and injuries likely to create chances over the coming months.
“At the moment, not just Ben but there are three or four players who are training really well and certainly deserve to be involved in the matchday squads who aren’t involved. That’s difficult, but the attitude of all of them has been excellent.”
Ipswich currently sit 12th in the Championship table, 4 points outside the play-offs, and face 2 home games in quick succession as they look to build consistency.
For Johnson, every training session now doubles as an audition for selection, and with McKenna promising changes to manage the schedule, the opportunity to reassert himself could come sooner rather than later.
