But they are now looking to boost their promotion push by strengthening the squad in the January transfer window.

"We need to evolve, we need to get better," joint top scorer Chaplin told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"It's up to the club to sort, but anything that makes us better, the lads are fully behind."

Ipswich's dip in form has seen third-placed Southampton close the gap to three points.

Head coach Kieran McKenna has fewer options in attack with George Hirst sidelined by a "significant hamstring injury" and Dane Scarlett recalled from loan by Tottenham Hotspur.

"There's been plenty of work going on from the club's point of view, and discussions going on, that'll intensify over the next few days," McKenna said.

Chaplin himself has failed to find the net in his last eight appearances and Town have only taken four points from their winless run with the last two games ending in goalless draws.

"We would have looked at picking up more points than we have done from the last four games - and I feel like we deserved it as well," he said.

"It's time for calm heads and a bit of calm reflection. We're definitely in a good spot, for sure. It's just frustrating that we haven't managed to get the goal we deserved in the last couple.

Ipswich will be without skipper Sam Morsy for league games at home to Sunderland and away to leaders Leicester on 13 and 22 January after his latest booking against Stoke means he is suspended for two matches.

"Sam is our leader, he's a big part of what we do. But that's what the squad's for. Even in this last block, lads have shown they are ready to come into the team and perform and we're going to need that again," Chaplin added.