x

McKenna: Evans to Miss Out, Burns and Luongo Back in Training and to Be Assessed - Ipswich Town News

Midfielder Lee Evans has been ruled out of Saturday’s big third-v-first clash with Sheffield Wednesday at Portman Road with the knee injury he suffered at Cambridge last week with Town as yet unsure how significant the problem might be, while manager Kieran McKenna will make a late call on Wes Burns and former Owl Massimo Luongo, who are back in training having missed the trip to Burnley in midweek.

Evans was subbed at half-time at the Abbey Stadium having picked up the knock during the first half.

"Lee is not going to be available, he got an issue with his knee during the Cambridge game, so he’s not available tomorrow,” McKenna said.

"We don’t know the severity of it yet. We’ll have that assessed again over the next few days.

"Massimo and Wes have trained with the group and we’re going to have to make a judgement call on their availability for tomorrow.

"They’ve missed a little bit of time, so we’ll have to make a decision regarding tomorrow with, of course, Tuesday [when Town travel to Bristol Rovers] coming round in quick succession as well.”

McKenna says he usually picks his team the day before a match but that that can change if players are touch and go for inclusion.

"I think usually on the Friday, but sometimes when you have a two-game week and you have a few players with injury issues you want to give them as long as possible, so sometimes you wait the extra 24 hours,” he said.

"But the typical process is to decide on a Friday but we always give ourselves that little bit of extra time with any injury doubts if we feel like they’re going to have an important impact on the game.”

Meanwhile, forward Tyreece John-Jules is edging closer to returning to training with the Blues having undergone hamstring surgery in November.

"He’s not been back yet, we’re hoping he’ll be back with us soon,” McKenna added. "He’s just getting his last bits cleared and finished at Arsenal and then we look forward to having him back.”

What to read next:

Eze Nets Twice as U19s Draw Opener at Czech Tournament
Striker Nelson Eze scored twice as an U19 Town side drew 2-2 with hosts Banik Ostrava in their opening match at the Zlaty Kahan tournament in Czechia yesterday.
Young: Working With McKenna Again Was a Massive Pull
New Blues signing Ashley Young says manager Kieran McKenna played a big part in his decision to join Town having left Everton at the end of last season.
Town Confirm Young Signing
Town have confirmed the signing of veteran former England international Ashley Young on a one-year deal.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Released Forward Roberts Joins Stevenage
Released Blues U21s forward Matty Roberts has joined League One Stevenage following a trial.
Young Close to Completing Town Move
Veteran former England international Ashley Young is close to completing a move to the Blues on a one-year deal.
Former Town Youth Coach Owen Dies
Former Town youth coach Brian Owen has died, aged 80.
Emmanuel-Thomas Joins AFC Totton
Ex-Town forward Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has joined National League South AFC Totton following his release from prison on parole.
Young Watches Son as U21s Beat Needham
Former England star and apparent Town target Ashley Young watched his son Tyler feature as a trialist for Town's U21s on Tuesday evening as they beat 10-man Needham Market 2-1 at Bloomfields in a pre-season friendly.
Young Watching Town U21s at Needham
Veteran former England international Ashley Young is watching Town’s U21s in friendly action at Needham Market with his son Tyler on trial with John McGreal’s squad.