x

McKenna: Socceroos Pair Available For Friday - Ipswich Town News

Blues boss Kieran McKenna says Town’s Australian duo Massimo Luongo and Cameron Burgess will both be available for Friday’s live-on-Sky game at Rotherham United.

Burgess won his second Socceroos cap in Friday’s 1-0 defeat to England, while Luongo made his return to the side after more than four years away in last night’s 2-0 victory over New Zealand at Brentford, his 44th senior international appearance.

Quizzed on how Luongo came through last night’s match, McKenna said: "He's fine. They travelled back late last night, him and Cameron. They both had a good camp.

"Cameron had the game on Friday night and did well. And Massimo got his start on Tuesday and did well as well. So, both fit and both happy.”

Luongo was beaming at the end of last night’s match, delighted to be back in the fold after such a long absence.

"I think he enjoyed it,” McKenna continued. "I spoke to him about the game today. He enjoyed it and enjoyed his roles. It was a similar role to how he plays here, and he enjoyed the game. 

"He's in good form. He's having a good season. He knows the focus on the priority now is here, but it's a nice thing for him to get a cap after so long and a good reward, I think, as he said, for some hard work.”

Fortunately, with the games in London, the pair aren’t facing gruelling trips back from the southern hemisphere.

"I think that would have been a bit of a tight turnaround,” McKenna reflected. "They're both available.

"That's the balance that we're going to have to have for the internationals. Being the first game back, some have been here training a little bit more.

"Some have returned after a little time away. But they're both available and we have good options.

"Players are all familiar with their roles. Those who have been here, those who are away, I think anyone who we pick on Friday night is going to know their jobs and we know what the game is going to be about. So, we've got good options there.”

Regarding the swift turnaround for players away on international duty ahead of a Friday evening kick-off, he added: "It is a challenge, no doubt about it, you lose a day of preparation, especially when you're away from home and you have players playing on the Tuesday night.

"It does make it a challenge. But we've got a rise to that. It is what it is, we can't change it.”

Town could well have similar after the next international break when they face West Brom away.

"I won't go to go full Jurgen [Klopp], but I think after the next international break, we're on early kick-off as well, so that's a challenge that we have to rise to. But that's up to us to take that on.”

What to read next:

Town Face Charlton at Colchester
Town continue their pre-season friendly programme when they host fellow Championship side Charlton Athletic at Colchester United’s JobServe Community Stadium this evening (KO 7.30pm).
U18s Host West Brom in First U18 Premier League Fixture
Town’s U18s will start their first ever U18 Premier League South campaign with a home game against West Bromwich Albion at Playford Road on Saturday 16th August (KO 11am).
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.