Ipswich Town left-back Leif Davis has got all the ingredients to play in the Premier League, says manager Kieran McKenna.

Davis has proved a revelation for the Blues since making a £1.2m switch from Leeds United in the summer of 2021.

The 24-year-old's combination of tireless running, final third composure and set-piece quality has played a major role in Town being transformed from a midtable League One club to one that is currently sitting third in the Championship with 13 games to go.

Having provided a league-topping 14 assists in a promotion season, the Newcastle-born full-back has set-up 12 goals this campaign and is just three short of breaking the record set by a defender at this level - Kieran Trippier (Burnley, 13/14) and Barry Douglas (Wolves, 17/18).

Ipswich Star: Leif Davis speaks to the press following Ipswich Town's 4-3 home win against Rotherham on Saturday.Leif Davis speaks to the press following Ipswich Town's 4-3 home win against Rotherham on Saturday. (Image: Steve Waller)

Altogether, that's a remarkable 26 assists across 73 league appearances for a player who'd had just a handful of senior starts (12) before coming to Portman Road.

West Ham were credited with interest in Davis last month, while other Premier League clubs are bound to be keeping tabs on a player who is effectively under contract until 2026.

Asked if he felt Davis was someone who could play at a higher level, McKenna replied: "I think he certainly can. I don't have any doubts about that.

"He's still a young player who is only in his second season of regular senior football though. He's got a long way to go, a lot to learn, a lot to improve on.

"But if you ask me 'has he got the ingredients, the attributes and the potential to do play at the next level and do well at the next level?' The answer is certainly yes."

 

MOST CHAMPIONSHIP ASSISTS

12: LEIF DAVIS (Ipswich) and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Leicester)

11: Adam Armstrong (Southampton) and Georginio Rutter (Leeds)

9: Abdul Fatawu (Leicester), Gabriel Sara (Norwich), Sorba Thomas (Huddersfield)

 

MOST KEY CHANCES CREATED FROM LONG PASSES

43: Sorba Thomas (Huddersfield) 

30: Gabriel Sara (Norwich)

27: LEIF DAVIS (Ipswich)

19: Kenneth Paal (QPR)

18: Daniel Barlaser (Middlesbrough)

 

MOST KEY CHANCES CREATED FROM SHORT PASSES

72: Crysencio Summerville (Leeds)

70: Jack Clarke (Sunderland)

64: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Leicester)

62: Georginio Rutter (Leeds)

60: LEIF DAVIS (Ipswich)