'Hutchinson will take off and Johnson is a smart signing'

Ipswich Town are back in pre-season training before their return to the Premier League and Omari Hutchinson has been pictured for the first time since permanently signing from Chelsea in a club record deal.

BBC Radio Suffolk's Connor Bennett believes the 20-year-old will "take off" in the top flight and says he is "very happy" to have his "familiar face" around the training ground.

Speaking on the Tractor Social podcast, Bennett said: "This makes me very happy. I think it is very easy to forget how good he was between the last third of the season and the end of the season last year.

"I listened to a Chelsea fan talking about him and I've heard an Arsenal fan podcast talking about it as well, because they get a cut of the fee, and I think there is a general feeling that Hutchinson is going to take off in the Premier League.

"He is a player that is really well regarded by a lot of elite clubs. Last year, he just got better and better under Kieran McKenna.

"It is a move that makes sense for everyone involved."

Bennett added thathe is also "completely happy" with Ipswich signing defender Ben Johnson: "It's not just about improving your playing squad and depth - it's also about protecting your assets as a Premier League club.

"With Johnson and Hutchinson, you are going to turn over a massive profit on them if they have one or two brilliant seasons or they are going to lift the squad up. That is exactly what you want.

"It is a smart signing because getting players like this will do a lot for the likes of Wes Burns and Harry Clarke, who have made a step-up from League One to the Championship. I expect them to do the same in the Premier League, but this will make them better."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds