Kieffer Moore & Ali Al-Hamadi: Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna expects strikers to make impact

Kieffer Moore and Ali Al-Hamadi will bolster a front line already including Nathan Broadhead and Conor Chaplin

Ipswich head coach Kieran McKenna believes new signings Kieffer Moore and Ali Al-Hamadi can both have an impact in the second half of the season.

With George Hirst sidelined by injury and Freddie Ladapo on loan at Charlton, Town needed more options in attack.

Al-Hamadi was signed from AFC Wimbledon for an undisclosed fee and Wales international Moore brought in on loan.

The club, meanwhile, have terminated the contract of midfielder Lee Evans, who had not played since September.

Ipswich are second in the Championship, but have only won one of their past seven league games - five of them ending in draws - and are only one point clear of Southampton and two ahead of Leeds.

McKenna said Moore, who has arrived from Bournemouth, would provide a physical presence they have been lacking since Hirst's last appearance, in a 1-1 Boxing Day draw with leaders Leicester.

"It's one the club worked hard on for a while and when it goes down to the last day, there's always a little bit of trepidation," he told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"He's a really experienced, high-calibre player, the profile of striker we felt we really needed to add to the squad with George Hirst's injury.

"Hopefully he'll settle in very quickly. We'll be looking to get him involved straight away."

Iraq international Al-Hamadi had scored 17 goals in 29 games for Wimbledon this season, but has stepped up two divisions in joining Ipswich.

"He's someone we've watched quite closely, a really high-potential forward player who has had a fantastic 12 months. We think he's got a lot of growth still to come," said McKenna.

"Ali is making a step up from League Two but he's got fantastic raw ingredients and the potential to make that step up. We think he's a really good acquisition for the club and someone we think can help us in the second half of the season."

The team's success in the last season and a half, having won promotion last term, has made it easier for Ipswich to beat off competition from other clubs for prospective signings, McKenna said.

"The majority of players we've spoken to have all been attracted by the prospect of coming to the club," he added.

"They see the positivity around the club, the style of play, the environment that's been created. We're a much more attractive proposition for players."

Evans, meanwhile, has left after two and a half seasons at Portman Road, during which he made 61 appearances and scored six goals.

He suffered a knee injury against Huddersfield in his final game, but the club say he has now recovered well.