IT never rains but it pours.

At least that’s the way it feels for bedraggled Ipswich Town.

The Blues’ problems have been plentiful this season and there are numerous, well-documented reasons why they are anchored at the foot of the Championship table.

However, in the last week, two key factors have reared their ugly heads once again.

Namely late goals and injury setbacks. Both scourges of the season.

Wigan’s late leveller in last week’s draw was a fresh, sickening blow (although perhaps a taste of our own medicine after scoring so late against Stoke).

Then came the news – ironically revealed by former Town boss Mick McCarthy, now in charge of the Republic of Ireland – that striker Will Keane could face six weeks on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury at the DW Stadium.

You couldn’t make it up.

Joe Garner’s late goal was a crushing twist in what, without question, was a must-win fixture.

Town have shipped too many late goals this season.

Precious points have slipped through their fingertips and, sadly, that alarming trend was evident almost from the word go.

Michael Smith’s 90th-minute winner for Rotherham set the ball rolling back in the August sunshine.

Yakou Meite then pounced for his second of the game as Town were deprived of what would have been a monumental November victory at Reading – Saturday’s opponents at Portman Road.

Instead, Paul Lambert, having only just been installed, had to be content with a 2-2 draw.

The theme continued early last month, when Lucas Joao struck in the dying embers to hand Sheffield Wednesday a 1-0 victory.

Then we had Garner’s goal, twisting the knife and inflicting more misery.

As I say, a recurring theme and even more damaging when you throw in others conceded after the 70th minute… Joao’s second in a 2-1 defeat at Hillsborough, Moritz Leitner’s painful equaliser for Norwich and Paul Gallagher’s leveller for Preston, also at Portman Road.

Town’s points tally would unquestionably look healthier, had they not had so many late lapses.

Talking of health, Keane’s problem is the latest in a succession of injury setbacks.

Cruel timing, once again.

The Hull loanee has been impressive and will be missed.

I like his robust, all-action style. He’s beefed up Town’s attack and already chipped in with goals against Rotherham, Stoke and Wigan.

With Freddie Sears sidelined until Christmas and Ellis Harrison (having previously missed a chunk of the season) also struggling with a hamstring injury of his own, it leaves the Blues short of attacking options ahead of Reading’s visit.

Town will also be without long-term injury victims Grant Ward and Jack Lankester, in addition to, dare I say it, forgotten men Emyr Huws and Tom Adeyemi.

The likes of Andre Dozzell, Teddy Bishop and, more recently, skipper Luke Chambers have also had issues and we’re waiting on the fitness of defender James Collins, having been limited to just three very impressive performances in January.

So it’s been a very busy treatment room at Portman Road.

Injuries and suspensions are part and parcel of football.

So too are late goals.

All teams benefit or suffer at times.

That’s part of the rich fabric of any season, of the game in general, and it would be simplistic to suggest those factors are solely to blame for Ipswich’s plight.

However, to say they haven’t helped would be an understatement.