x

McKenna: Chelsea Too Early For Hutchinson, Delap Misses Training, Muric Out For Season - Ipswich Town News

Forward Omari Hutchinson remains unavailable for Sunday’s trip to face his old club Chelsea, while a couple of other players have knocks which will be assessed - among them striker Liam Delap - and keeper Aro Muric has been ruled out for the season having undergone surgery on his shoulder.

Hutchinson has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury suffered in training after returning from international duty with the U21s.

"Omari’s still doubtful going into this one,” McKenna said. "We’ve had one or two knocks from the last game, which have had to be looked at, one or two being assessed.

"None of the long-term ones are back yet, if we’re talking about, not Wes [Burns] and Chieo [Ogbene], but Sam Szmodics and Omari, it’s probably going to be a little bit soon for this weekend.”

Striker Delap, who Chelsea are one of the frontrunners to sign in the summer, missed training earlier in the week having suffered a heavy knock in the Wolves match and seems likely to be one of those being assessed.

"He picked up a really heavy knock on Saturday in the game, so he’s missed some training this week, but I know his full focus is on getting ready to help the team,” McKenna said.

Keeper Muric is out for the season with the injury he suffered while away with Kosovo: "Aro’s had surgery on his shoulder, so it will be a matter of months, so that’s his season finished for him and he’ll return at some point of pre-season.”

McKenna suggests it’s unlikely the former Burnley man will be available for Kosovo’s summer internationals.

"I’ll let other people notify that but it’s a pretty serious injury, so he’s going to be out for a good while,” he said.

Asked why Ben Godfrey, who hasn’t featured since the Spurs game at the end of February, hasn’t been involved, McKenna said: "A couple of different reasons, he’s had some injury and illness in the couple of weeks after that.

"And other than that we’ve gone with different selections in the last few weeks with Axel [Tuanzebe] in that position, who I think has performed very, very well.

"And when Axel hasn’t been available, the balance with Dara [O’Shea] playing in that position and Luke Woolfenden playing as the middle centre-back position has also been something that we like and a balance that has been good for us.

"Ben’s back training now, he’s training fully with the group, he’s been good around his teammates.

"As I’ve said many times, I think coming to a new club in January is difficult, irrespective that he’s a player with Premier League experience and you’d think that would make it easier to settle.

"Settling in January, especially when you haven’t played many games that season and getting up to speed with the toughest league in the world is really difficult, and that was a challenge to Ben in the first couple of weeks and in the weeks since we’ve been using some other people in that position.”

McKenna is still hopeful Sammie Szmodics could be back later in the season following ankle surgery.

"Possible, he’s making good progress,” he said.” He’s nowhere near fit yet, but he’s making progress. It’s possible we’ll see him before the end.”

Regarding longer term absentees Burns and Ogbene’s recovery from ACL and achilles surgery respectively, he added: "They’re chipping away, they’re both long injuries and not easy rehabs, but they’re in a good place for it, a good environment, good dressing room. Helps them that they’ve got each other, doesn’t help us!

"I have to say, it’s been a blow that hits us every week because the physicality of our right side has been an absolute linchpin, really, whether that was Wes Burns or Kayden Jackson last year, the physicality of that right-hand side is something that has allowed the rest of our team and individuals to really flourish.

"So to lose both of them to season-ending injuries and to lose Axel behind them, who again in terms of physical presence, pace and power, which is a really key ingredient, is also right at the top of that list, has been a big, big blow.

"But they’re both doing well, both will be back to full health next year and they’ve both got each other to support through the process at least.”

What to read next:

Ipswich Town 5-0 Sheffield United - Match Report
Jaden Philogene hit a hat-trick as Town ended their long wait for a home league win by thrashing Sheffield United 5-0 at Portman Road. Philogene opened the scoring in the 20th minute, then added an even better second on 51, before George Hirst made the most of dreadful defending to net the third in the 61st minute. Philogene completed his treble with his best of the night seven minutes later, before Jack Clarke completed a great night for Town, whose last home league win was against Chelsea on December 30th, on 78.
Ipswich Town 5-0 Sheffield United - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Ipswich Town 1-0 Sheffield United - Half-Time
Jaden Philogene’s first goal at Portman Road has given the Blues a 1-0 half-time lead against Sheffield United.
Furlong and Akpom Start For Blues
Town have made two changes for this evening’s live Sky game against Sheffield United at Portman Road with Darnell Furlong and Chuba Akpom coming into the team.
Ipswich Town v Sheffield United - Chatroom Open
Join us in the chatroom to discuss the game as it unfolds with hundreds of other Town fans.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Wark Book Pre-Order Deadline Today
The deadline for pre-orders of the new John Wark book He’s Here, He’s There is today.
Akpom: I Always Had My Mind Set on Ipswich
Chuba Akpom has revealed he always wanted to sign for Town this summer despite nearly joining Championship rivals Birmingham City.
U18s at Palace
Town’s U18s face Crystal Palace at the Eagles’ training ground on Saturday afternoon (KO midday).
Ipswich Town v Sheffield United - Predictions
Have you predicted the Blades score yet? Seventy six per cent of TWTD members are predicting a Town win this evening, 14 per cent a draw and ten per cent an away win. The most commonly predicted result is a 2-1 win to Town with Hirst the first scorer but what do you think?