Hurst: Tough Call at the Centre of Defence - Ipswich Town News

Blues boss Paul Hurst admits he has a tough choice to make at the centre of his defence at the weekend with Toto Nsiala back after his three-match ban but with skipper Luke Chambers and on-loan Everton man Matthew Pennington having impressed during the DR Congo international’s absence.

"I think he was doing very well,” Hurst said of Nsiala, who was harshly red-carded at Sheffield Wednesday last month.

"Arguably, not that many games in truth, but was again one of our most consistent performers and then Luke Chambers and Matt Pennington have had the last few games together and I have to say I think they’ve done very well.

"So, a tough call. I think I’m pretty much there, but you’re entitled to change your mind until that teamsheet goes in.”

Regarding Pennington’s excellent start to his season-long loan, he added: "He’s done very well, I’m very impressed with how he came into that first game having not really trained with the players.

"It was a last-minute deal that happened, he came straight across but we had a little bit of an advantage that [fitness coach] Nathan [Winder] had worked with him at Leeds and I also had some information on the player from people that I trust and they were very positive.

"So maybe not the biggest of surprises what I’ve seen but still nice to see it first hand. Players sometimes take time to settle but I think he hasn’t needed time, he’s got straight on with his business.

"He’s very unassuming, a very good character. Someone you wouldn’t think, ‘He’s at a Premier League club, he’s a little bit precious’ or anything like that. He’s a really good lad.”

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