ENGLAND’S remarkable ability to make even 4-0 away victories boring has whetted the appetite for tomorrow’s return to domestic action with Ipswich Town going into September second in the Championship.

Twelve points from 15 in the opening month greatly improved the mood at Portman Road, even if the 2-0 home defeat to Fulham in August’s final game did put a slight dampener on things.

The fortnight’s hiatus saw the transfer window close with the Blues unable to add central defensive cover for skipper Luke Chambers, Tommy Smith and Adam Webster, all of whom are currently injured.

Frustratingly, it looked like they’d got their man with Brighton’s Connor Goldson at Town having passed a medical and with everything agreed between the clubs.

In fact, it subsequently emerged that the loan move had been set up in principle for a couple of weeks.

But the deal going through depended on the Seagulls adding another defender to their squad.

They similarly thought they’d landed Stefano Denswil from Club Brugge but the Belgian side pulled the plug when they discovered another of their defenders, Frenchman Benoît Poulain, would be out for longer than previously anticipated.

Town cast around for alternative centre-halves but they were either unavailable or had concerns regarding their fitness.

Eventually, with time running out, the Blues added Everton’s 19-year-old right-back Callum Connolly on a season-long loan.

Having been unable to recruit another centre-half, an additional full-back - Connolly can also play on the left - means Town have cover in case Jordan Spence, Jonas Knudsen - the current stand-in central defenders - Dominic Iorfa or Myles Kenlock join the injured list.

Connolly’s addition also means the Blues can more comfortably switch back to 3-5-2, which may be something manager Mick McCarthy is eyeing with Knudsen, Spence and Iorfa probably all better suited to a three-man backline than a central defensive pairing.

How much of a blow failing to complete the signing of Goldson or AN Other experienced centre-half will be depends to a great extent on when the three injured recognised centre-halves are back.

At yesterday’s press conference McCarthy suggested Chambers (ankle) isn’t too far away from a return and that Smith (hamstring) and Webster (also ankle) are not too far behind him.

September now contains one fewer match following last week’s late postponement of Tuesday’s game at Derby.

To summarise the situation, the Rams are a round behind in the Carabao Cup due to an earlier abandoned tie and need to play Barnsley in that competition next week so the winners can face Tottenham in the designated third-round week as Spurs are in the Champions League and have no other free dates.

While I can sympathise with a slightly freakish situation, it probably shouldn’t have taken the authorities until 12 days before the match - by which time Town fans would have bought train tickets and hotel rooms - to realise the switch needed to be made.

And what’s the betting Tottenham’s Carabao Cup team will be nothing like the one in action in the Champions League?

But, while a pain in the backside and wallet for fans, the move isn’t entirely unwelcome given the injury situation.

While no new date has been set for the Rams match, most if not all of the centre-halves should be back by the time that game comes around.

Going into September, the midfield injury and illness situation is easing with Luke Hyam, Tom Adeyemi, Bersant Celina and Danny Rowe all getting U23s minutes under their belts during the break.

The month looks like a good opportunity to build on the platform established during August.

After Saturday’s trip to QPR, who are tenth, rock-bottom Bolton are at Portman Road next week.

The Blues then make a tough trip to third-placed Leeds, before home games against Sunderland and 13th-placed Bristol City.

Although QPR’s start has been rather middling, six of their seven points have come from their two home games, so they are clearly no mugs at Loftus Road.

But similarly Town have won both their Championship away games so far this season and could well be celebrating a third come 4.50pm on Saturday.