Striker James Norwood is set to be out of action for at least six weeks after tearing a hamstring in training earlier in the week.

The injury is a further blow to Norwood, who spent much of last season struggling with groin problems which required him to undergo surgery twice.

The 30-year-old has only fleetingly played a part in the opening weeks of this campaign - one start, four sub appearances - having spent most of pre-season rehabilitating from his most recent operation in February.

"It’s not as bad as first feared but the scans have shown that Nors is likely to be out for six weeks at a minimum," Town's general manager of football operations Lee O'Neill told the club site.

Norwood’s latest injury leaves the Blues short on strikers with Kayden Jackson not yet fully fit after the groin problem he suffered in training and Aaron Drinan sidelined until mid-November with a thigh issue.

Oli Hawkins impressed when making his full league debut as the cenral striker in the 2-0 victory over Rochdale at the weekend, while youngster Ben Folami is likely to come into the reckoning for a place on the bench given the lack of other fit options.

Manager Paul Lambert could weigh-up whether to make a signing as cover but the Blues are significantly hampered in their ability to make additions by the salary cap and he may in any case believe he has enough options already at his disposal with Freddie Sears also able to play down the middle.

The international transfer window closes on Monday, but clubs are able to complete domestic transfers until Friday 16th October.

News that Norwood had suffered another injury first emerged last night when he was photographed by a fan with crutches in a Stowmarket restaurant with the striker making his displeasure at having been surreptitiously snapped clear.

Photo: Matchday Images

Linkboy13 added 16:00 - Oct 1 Mcgoldrick and Webster leave the club and get a better level of care and what happens they play more games. We need to go back to the days when we had a specialist fitness coach, and players need to be closely monitored as to when they should be rested.
2

blues1 added 16:06 - Oct 1 Arnie m. It doesn't matter how fit you are, or arent. A hamstring injury is something anyone can pick up, at any time. Especially a player coming back from a bad injury, as norwood is. Remember, he didnt start preseason training till after everyone else, due to his rehab being interrupted by lockdown so is behind everyone else fitness wise. Most players coming g back from a bad injury pick up muscle injuries, usually minor but sometimes, as on this occasion, a bit worse. And this kind of injury is caused by running, particularly sprinting. Are you suggesting running and sprinting should be banned from our training? Because thsts the only way you'll stop muscle injuries in training. But then, theyd just happen during a game as players wouldnt be fit. It really is just a case of us being unlucky with injuries. And it's not just us neither, sat before last arsenal had 7 out, palace 7, leeds 5, coventry 5, charlton 5. Doubt their fans are blaming the medical dept and training.

3

Blueballs83 added 16:16 - Oct 1 I think we need to try and loan a young and Pacy striker, who wishes to prove himself outside the Under 23's! We are down to bare bones and this won't change for several months! Worth going back to Arsenal?!?
1

Kickingblock added 16:22 - Oct 1 One man's loss.... Someone else's big chance... I hope they seize it!
2

Ipswichbusiness added 16:23 - Oct 1 Leftie1972 has a point. What has happened to Tyreece Simpson? He seems to have vanished, but if we are short of strikers he seems an obvious choice.
2

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 16:34 - Oct 1 We can't afford to just make do and mend this season. What happens if Hawkins is next? Please get a decent loanee in asap, Messrs Lambert and Evans. There must be someone out there in the UK or Europe who could do a temporary job.
0

jas0999 added 16:53 - Oct 1 Not good news. Leaves us very short of strikers.
0

Linkboy13 added 17:21 - Oct 1 To get a place in the first team you have to earn it , what i saw of Simpson last season he's not quite ready yet, and needs to take the next step up the ladder and go out on loan. We just haven't got the outstanding youngsters of days gone by like Kieron Dyer, Darren Bent etc.
0

shortmarine1969 added 17:22 - Oct 1 I keep see,ing about Simpson or posters saying we have no striker,s how about going 4,4,2 if the team availabale dictates it - We have Sears who could play of Hawkins very easily and may help as although he has played well Hawkins has not provided a big goal threat and never has - this is not chopping and changing the team, it,s using your best players in a formation that will work - PL says himself it is not formations but players that win games and we have a squad that can fit to 4,4,2 if required for a few games

0

happybeingblue added 17:29 - Oct 1 why are supporters attacking his personality and making judgement calls on the guy because he is injured,so he likes a laugh and a joke,whats wrong with that? when he scored all the goals for Tranmere was he not the same character?? kvy is also injured again and is out for ages so why is everyone giving james grief on here, lets not forget he was a free transfer as well,expect better from itfc fans than this ...he is one of us is he not?

10

blues1 added 18:42 - Oct 1 Linkboy13. Have to agree with you re Simpson. Yes, he did ok when he played last season, but not done anywhere near enough to suggest hes ready for regular 1st team football as yet. Personally I'd like to see Folami given a chance. When hes played he looks like he offers us something different to our other strikers.
0

Lightningboy added 19:04 - Oct 1 Well said ArnieM. This has been going on far too long at ITFC - our training/fitness/team/regime needs seriously addressing - absolute joke the amount of injuries we're getting. Sort it out.
1

runningout added 19:30 - Oct 1 You'll find it happens often at most clubs. If we truly are going for a winger. I have said before Harry Anderson at Lincoln (kept Danny Rowe on bench) £200,000 ish would get! As for Norwood replacement 4 days is plenty if you have a plan b c and d. There are a lot of hungry pests we need
0

cat added 19:55 - Oct 1 Well said blues1. Sounds like you played the game and trained 👍
0

Kingfisher49 added 20:38 - Oct 1 If the club are looking for a short term answer Cameron Jerome, Gary Hooper, Rudy Gestede and Omar Bogle are all without clubs. All proven goal scorers at a higher level and could give the club the goals we are looking for at present.
0

herfie added 22:28 - Oct 1 We should surely want to support one of our own - not criticise his personality, despite never having met him, or write off his potential (currently nowhere near fulfilled) ability to improve the team. Suffering yet another injury must be devastating for the lad, who will only want to play games, and score goals. Yes, it's disappointing and frustrating, but to offer only criticism, rather than support, achieves absolutely nothing positive. I suspect it will pan out that he leaves the club - will recover, and score shed-loads of goals for his next employers. But I hope that he stays, and becomes that player we all hoped he would be. It's a challenge for the player, the manager and supporters.

0

Linkboy13 added 23:32 - Oct 1 Some fans on hear are unbelievable Hawkins has only been at the club five minutes and is been written off as a goal threat already. I think anyone who watched the game against Rochdale could see he was very much a goal threat and also chipped in with an assist . The sad facts are a lot of fans take an instant dislike to a player normally because of his appearance or personality and will never give credit whatever he does these are commonly known as numpties.

1

afcfee added 08:09 - Oct 2 Worse signing in a long time. His agent played a blinder.
0

Essexnblue added 08:18 - Oct 2 Forget Norwood and his behaviour, injuries etc, we are potentially short of strikers for the next 8 weeks. With Jackson a potential mover before next Monday, although I would hope that we have learned our lessons from previous windows, I would be getting back in Arsenals ears and seeing if Balogun is available on loan. He looked rather useful in the U21 game and for once looks different from the normal strikers we have on our books.

2

afcfee added 09:21 - Oct 2 Best thing would be loan him out to Scotland or league 2 or something even on 0% as mentioned I agree he is a massive disruption and a bad influence on the younger player imo.
1

afcfee added 09:31 - Oct 2 In terms of youngsters Zak brown looks a good shout
0

Razor added 10:51 - Oct 2 Perhaps at Tranmere they looked after him and cared for a bit better, just a thought. Forward line tomorrow Judge,Edwards and Oliie-----Freddie to make the teas.
0

Michael101 added 11:21 - Oct 2 Kingfisher ,yes all the players you mentioned would do a good job, but I think they would want more than the 50p a week Evans would offer plus there's the celery ( salery) cap thingy me bob.
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls