x

McKenna: We're in a Good Position On Illness and Injuries - Ipswich Town News

Boss Kieran McKenna says the Blues are in a good position illness and injury-wise going into Saturday’s game at Gillingham.

Town had a handful of Covid cases in the week leading up to their last match, the 1-0 home victory over Wycombe between Christmas and New Year, but McKenna says everyone is now fine on that front.

"Thankfully we’re in a really good position. No illness in the group over the last week or so, so that’s been good,” the Northern Irishman said.

"We’ve a few players back in training now recovering from illness and injury, so we’ve had a really big, large group available to train.

"I think Jon Nolan and Coulson are the only two absentees at the moment, and other than that we’ve had a really big group training and everyone fighting and competing to be involved in the game on Saturday.”

Coulson has spent time back at Middlesbrough as he continues his recovery from the knock he sustained at Wycombe at the start of November. Speaking last week, Boro boss Chris Wilder said the left-back was four-to-six weeks from making his return to action.

Among those who had previously been out but who were pictured in training earlier in the week were keeper Christian Walton, forwards Bersant Celina and Kyle Edwards, while centre-half Cameron Burgess was also unavailable.

Town’s New Year’s Day game at home to Lincoln was postponed due to Covid cases at the Imps, which McKenna said had positives and negatives.

"It’s silver linings,” he reflected. "We wanted to play the Lincoln game, we felt like we had good momentum and good options to come into that game as well.

"But it wasn’t to be, so we’ve used the time well. Lots of training, lots of work on the pitch, meetings, trying to get a better understanding of the players and give them a better understanding of how we want to play.

"We’ve managed to give them a day or two off as well along the way, so we feel like we’re in a good position.

"Everyone’s fresh, we’ve worked a lot, we’re hungry and everyone’s looking forward to the game.”

What to read next:

Ndaba Completes Lecce Move
Former Town defender Corrie Ndaba has completed his move from Scottish Premiership Kilmarnock to Serie A Lecce.
McKenna: Hirst Primed For Good Season
Town boss Kieran McKenna believes striker George Hirst is “primed to have a good season” for the Blues, the frontman having netted three times in the Blues’ two public friendlies.
Hirst: Scotland Call-Up Has Made Me a Better Player
Town striker George Hirst says he has taken a lot from being in the Scotland squad and feels the international recognition has made him a better player.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Town 'Willing to Pay Hackney £35,000-a-Week'
Town are reportedly willing to pay Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney £35,000-a-week, TWTD having revealed that the Blues had made an approach for the 23-year-old almost a fortnight ago.
U21s Defeated By Luton
A strong Blues U21s side was beaten 2-1 by Luton Town at Bent Lane in a pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon with Tommy Taylor's first-half strike cancelled out after the break by a much-improved Hatters side.
U19s Draw and Lose Final Games at Czech Tournament
Town’s U19s finished lost one and drew one of today’s place play-off matches at the Zlaty Kahan tournament in Czechia.
Hirst: Early Confrontation Sign of Morsy's High Standards
George Hirst has revealed he almost came to blows with departed captain Sam Morsy early in his Town career, but believes the incident was illustrative of the high standards maintained by the former Blues skipper.
Former Town Defender Ndaba Set For Serie A
Former Town defender Corrie Ndaba is set to join Serie A Lecce from Scottish Premiership Kilmarnock, according to reports in Italy.
McKenna: New Coach Stanislas Comes Highly Recommended
Town manager Kieran McKenna has spoken about the additions of new first-team coach Junior Stanislas and set-piece analyst Michele Aragona.