x

Town Face Hoffenheim in Final Friendly of Germany Trip - Ipswich Town News

Town complete their short German training camp with a friendly against Bundesliga Hoffenheim at the Kufstein Arena just over the border in Austria this afternoon (KO 1.30pm CET, 12.30pm BST).

The Blues will field a senior side against Die Kraichgauer, having been forced to switch to the U21s for yesterday’s game against Borussia Mönchengladbach in Heimstetten, which ended in a 3-1 defeat, due to a lack of personnel, much to the annoyance of the German side.

Town have more than a few players sidelined going into today’s match. Harry Clarke and Ali Al-Hamadi are still in rehab from the surgery they underwent earlier in the summer, while Nathan Broadhead (hamstring) and Cameron Humphreys (thigh) both picked up knocks in behind-closed-doors games early in pre-season.

Wes Burns is also unlikely to be involved having rolled his ankle during last week’s friendly against Fortuna Düsseldorf. It’s believed one or two other players may also have picked up niggles.

Better news is that Omari Hutchinson posted that he was back in training after a minor problem, while Axel Tuanzebe also made the trip to Germany having been previously absent for personal reasons.

Left-back Conor Townsend, who completed his move on Thursday, is likely to make his first appearance in a Blues shirt.

Hoffenheim, who have been training in Kitzbühel, Austria, will be Town’s stiffest opponents of pre-season so far having finished seventh in the Bundesliga, qualifying for the Europa League.

So far, Hoffenheim have played three friendlies. A 7-1 win away against fourth-tier Astoria Walldorf, a 3-1 victory over 2. Bundesliga SV Elversberg and a disappointing 2-2 draw at Norwich City last Tuesday having been 2-0 in front. They also lost Czech Republic international left-back David Jurásek to a serious arm injury against the Canaries.

They open their campaign proper when they face Würzburger Kickers in the DFB Pokal, the German cup, next Saturday.

Among those the Blues will be facing this afternoon is former Leicester striker Andrej Kramarić, while another frontman, €30 million-rated German international Maximilian Beier, was reported to be a target of Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen earlier this summer. More detail on their squad can be found in a TWTD Blog here.

This afternoon’s match is Town’s penultimate friendly of pre-season with the Blues hosting French Ligue 1 side OGC Nice next Saturday before welcoming Liverpool for their first Premier League match in 22 years the following weekend.

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.