Sunderland & Huddersfield Town casting eyes over ex-Ipswich Town duo | OneFootball

Sunderland have handed a trial to goalkeeper Alan Fleischer, who has been released by Ipswich Town, whilst Huddersfield Town look at George Iorpenda.

A couple of released Ipswich Town players are on trial with EFL clubs at the moment ahead of the summer transfer window with Sunderland taking a look at goalkeeper Alan Fleischer, whilst Huddersfield Town run the rule over defender George Iorpenda.

Fleischer, a second-year scholar at Portman Road, is being released by the Tractor Boys this summer and has linked up with Sunderland for a trial whereby he featured for the Black Cats’ under-18 side in a Tyne-Wear Derby against Newcastle United at the weekend.

He has been at Ipswich for nearly a decade but that time is coming to an end having spent some time on loan at Heybridge Swifts, coached by former West Ham United defender Julian Dicks, in the Isthmian League North this season.

Iorpenda, on the other hand, featured for Huddersfield’s B team last week alongside his brother, Tom, formerly of Brighton and Hove Albion’s academy and someone who has made a few appearances for the Terriers’ first-team, in what was a 2-1 loss to Mansfield Town.

George, though, has yet to make a first-team appearance for any club in the EFL, having spent a part of this season on loan at Brightlingsea Regent, also in the Isthmian League North.

Sunderland taking a look at goalkeeper Alan Fleischer

Ahead of a play-off campaign in which Regis Le Bris will seek to take Sunderland back to the top-flight for the first time since their relegation from the Premier League in 2017, the Black Cats are already looking to bolster a youth setup that will be the envy of most sides in the EFL.

With one of the youngest squads in the division and a first-team that boasts academy graduates such as Dan Neil and Chris Rigg, there has clearly been an emphasis on acquiring as well as developing the best young talent they can get their hands on.

In terms of the goalkeeper position, another academy graduate, Anthony Patterson, has been the number one first-choice for a few seasons now with the 24-year-old already making 161 appearances for the club.

Beyond him, they have made attempts at bringing through the next long-term ‘keeper with the signings of Nathan Bishop and Blondy Nna Noukeu but the former, now 25, has made just two appearances for the clubs with loan spells at Wycombe Wanderers and Cambridge United since signing from Manchester United in the summer of 2023; whilst the latter has been third choice this season behind Patterson and Simon Moore.

18-year-old goalkeeper Matty Young is someone that is highly-rated by Sunderland and he has now gained EFL experience, having spent the season out on loan at League Two play-off chasers Salford City.

Therefore, it can be assumed that if Fleischer is to be signed, it would be to go straight into their under-21's squad for the foreseeable future to see if he can develop.

Ipswich Town are having a clear-out ahead of Championship return - Fleischer and Iorpenda have not made the grade

Following back-to-back automatic promotions from League One to the Premier League, it would be reasonable to suggest that Kieran McKenna’s side were and remain way ahead of schedule.

They have been competitive at times this season but will be returning to the Championship with something of a bit of a whimper with just four victories in their 34 Premier League matches so far this season.

Ipswich will head into the summer transfer window looking to rebuild and go again as one of the likeliest title favourites for next season, albeit there is a fair bit of work to do on their squad.

Liam Delap is a player that is being heavily linked with lots of clubs, whilst key loanees such as Jens Cajuste and Julio Enciso will depart for their parent clubs, Napoli and Brighton and Hove Albion, respectively.

Another part of their rejuvenation is sifting through their academy setup, and the departures of Fleischer and Iorpenda are a part of that as McKenna’s men plan ahead for the future.

If the pair can get moves to the development squads of a Championship or League One outfit though, then they will be back on their feet straight away - they will of course though need to impress in their trial periods.