Town boss Kieran McKenna says the Blues will make a late decision on the fitness of midfielder Lee Evans ahead of Saturday’s home game against Gillingham, while left-back Matt Penney is back in training.

Penney has missed the last three games with a knee problem but McKenna says the former Sheffield Wednesday man is now fine.

“Matt Penney is in full training with the group, so that’s been good. He’s pretty much back to full fitness,” he said.

Evans has been out since suffering a groin problem in the warm-up ahead of the home game against Accrington a fortnight ago and McKenna says it’s touch and go whether the Welshman will be available on Saturday.

“Lee Evans is going to be another close call this weekend again,” he admitted. “He’s not trained fully with the group this week but he’s progressed a lot with his rehab so it’s one that we’re going to make a call on tomorrow.”

Town will again be without skipper Sam Morsy, who will be serving the third game of his four-match ban but full-back Kane Vincent-Young returns from his one-match suspension for his red card at AFC Wimbledon.

Last week, midfielder Tom Carroll missed the game at Hillsborough after his partner gave birth, while Sone Aluko was unavailable for the Accrington game as he and his partner had a baby the previous day.

McKenna isn't aware of any of his squad in a similar position this weekend.

“On Fridays as well, all the babies have come on Fridays!” he laughed. “That I know of, nobody is preparing to become a father this weekend, so there shouldn’t be any late changes.”

Photo: Matchday Images

Bazza8564 added 15:08 - Feb 3 Im not one for pushing people back in a hurry BUT with Morsy still out and this being a must win game if Evans can play 60 minutes i'd be inclined to put him in. We really missed midfield mobility last week and as much as El Mizouni and Bakinson tried hard, they were unable to create much. Carroll and Evans would be my choice. Less worried about Penney, tbf Thompson hasnt come to play behind him so expect him to get the nod.

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silkcutblue added 15:25 - Feb 3 Penney played for Shef wed
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Ipswichbusiness added 15:41 - Feb 3 We have important games coming up against MK Dons and Burton. I'd rather keep Evans for those and start with Carroll and El Miz.
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Europablue added 15:54 - Feb 3 Must win Saturday!
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Pilgrimblue added 16:09 - Feb 3 Must win every Saturday!
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JewellintheTown added 16:19 - Feb 3 Bit of game time to get sharp might be useful for Evans. Then again, if its too soon, then he might do more harm than good and be out longer for when he's really needed. Tough call for McKenna. I'd lean towards holding him back a game at the moment.
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PhilTWTD added 16:27 - Feb 3 silkcutblue Indeed, no idea where United came from.
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Pilgrimblue added 17:51 - Feb 3 More shots would help esp from Boone who seems to have lost his touch
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TimmyH added 18:33 - Feb 3 Considering he had just a 'knock' as described when he missed the Accrington game he's taking a time to come back...but a rested and hopefully fit Evans and Morsy back after his ban is certainly needed for the MK Dons game.
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marinermyhero added 18:52 - Feb 3 @PhilTWTD There's always one lol
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Linkboy13 added 19:14 - Feb 3 Gillingham's going to be one of those games that was like the Accrington affair with plenty of spoiling tactics time wasting etc. We cannot afford to rest players taking it for granted that it's a given 3 points we are not that good. A win against anyone is still 3 points no matter who's it's against.
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KiwiTractor added 19:44 - Feb 3 I'm expecting to see Carroll and Bakinson start in those roles against Gillingham. Don't think he'll risk Evans
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Fat_Boy_Tim added 23:55 - Feb 3 I know we are all a bit scarred by the old 4231 from PC but I think he did prove one thing and that's, that it's often the wrong tactic and occasionally exactly the right tactic! Doncaster and Wycombe found that out. Maybe KM will look at the Donny game next week and think ‘Hmmmm?' ;)
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