IT was always going to be a busy summer for Ipswich Town, as the Blues regenerate from Championship regulars to League One newcomers.

However, the wind of change went from a gentle breeze to a gust this morning with the news all seven of their out-of-contract senior players are set to move on.

Former Colchester United goalkeeper Dean Gerken, Grant Ward, Jonas Knudsen, Jordan Spence, James Collins, Tom Adeyemi and Simon Dawkins have been released, along with young trio Conor McKendry, Chris Smith and Ryley Scott, who had a trial with the U's in March.

To be truthful, there are few surprises within that crop - perhaps with the exception of Ward - and it'll be particularly interesting to see what happens next in terms of Gerken's career.

The 33-year-old joined on a free transfer in 2013, having parted company with Bristol City.

He went on to make 113 starts, including playing in the end-of-season defeats against Swansea and Sheffield United.

However, much of his time with the club has been spent playing second-fiddle to serial match-winner and multiple player-of-the-year recipient Bartosz Bialkowski.

In many respects, it's unfortunate their careers at the club collided because, when he played, Gerken was a largely dependable pair of hands.

Ironically, Bart could also be on his way this summer with three Championship clubs reportedly interested in the Pole.

However, with Town in talks to sign out-of-contract Czech keeper Tomas Holy, from Gillingham, Gerken clearly feels his future lies away from Portman Road (QPR’s Matt Ingram and Exeter’s Christy Pym have also been linked).

If you believe the rumour mill, Colchester are believed to be interested and it's understandable that connection has been made. It can't be discounted.

However, personally, I'd be surprised.

Gerken has spent the last decade in the Championship, on decent wages, and will presumably get offers from either the same level or certainly League One.

Secondly, it’s understood the U’s will keep faith with their existing four keepers next season - Dillon Barnes (who has already been offered new terms), Rene Gilmartin, Ethan Ross and Bailey Vose.

Whether Gerken's availability might alter that plan remains to be seen but I'm not convinced.

As for the rest of the departing contingent, the only one I'm slightly surprised about is Ward, who is still recovering from a cruciate knee ligament injury suffered at QPR on Boxing Day.

I had such high hopes for the 24-year-old when he burst onto the scene with a hat-trick on his debut, against Barnsley on the opening day of the 2016/17 campaign.

He's never lived up to those heady heights but I still wondered if he might be given another year, given the unfortunate circumstances surrounding his injury.

That said, Town are well-stocked in terms of midfielders - both central and wide - and, had he stayed, a fit-again Ward would have faced stiff competition from the likes of Cole Skuse, Jon Nolan, Teddy Bishop, Andre Dozzell, Flynn Downes, Alan Judge and Emyr Huws.

Not to mention potential summer recruits and rising stars like former Colchester schoolboy Tristan Nydam and Idris El Mizouni.

As for the others, it's no surprise to see Jordan Spence and Jonas Knudsen leave. It would have been a shock had they stayed.

Both are surplus to requirements - not part of Paul Lambert's plans - although the latter was a mainstay of Mick McCarthy's side, etching his name in folklore thanks to crucial goals against Norwich City.

Dawkins became a forgotten man right from the start and it would have been nice to see more of the ex-San Jose Earthquakes and Derby County winger.

Tom Adeyemi's time at the club was blighted by injury and the same can be said of James Collins, who joined on a short-term deal in January.

He made six starts and had the potential to be the commanding, experienced defensive warrior his struggling side so badly craved - only to spend the bulk of his time on the treatment table.