Blues boss Paul Lambert says left-back Stephen Ward remains a doubt for Saturday’s trip to Blackpool due to the achilles injury he suffered in the early stages of last weekend’s 1-1 draw away against the MK Dons.

Ward was replaced in the 22nd minute at Stadium MK with Myles Kenlock replacing him.

“He’s still a doubt,” Lambert said. “So we just have to get on with it. Myles came in and did well, so there’s no problem there, but he is doubtful.”

Lambert says he’s confident Kenlock will be able to provide cover while the Irishman, one of the outstanding performers in the early weeks of the season, is out of action.

“The thing with Myles is that he’s been really good this year,” Lambert added. “I thought last year he was off it, in the Championship he did really well in the last 17 games he was in. It’s a chance for Myles to do well and hopefully he takes his chance.”

Lambert says like a number of other players, Kenlock will benefit from a sustained period of playing first-team football.

“Andre [Dozzell], I don’t know the last time Andre played five or six games in a row [before this season], I don’t think the lad’s ever done it before, the same with Teddy Bishop, exactly the same, they’ve not done many games in a row.

“Myles is the same, Emyr Huws is the same, not many games in a row, you know some of those lads are on the borderline of fatigue or injury, they’ve just got to try and sustain it, but I think they’re enjoying their football at the minute, and I hope that continues.

“Myles is the same. When we came in Jonas [Knudsen] was the left-back here for a long time. Myles got in for the last 17 games and did really well. Last season he never got going at all.

“He started the season well here, Wardy came in and did really well, Myles has the chance now to stay in the side. From my point of view, I’m happy how Myles is playing but they’ve got to sustain it.”

Corrie Ndaba played at left-back in Tuesday’s EFL Trophy victory over Gillingham but Lambert isn’t considering the Irish U21 international for that role on Saturday.

“He did well,” he said. “But as I said the other night, one game doesn’t really change my way of thinking. It just gives me an idea of the kids and what they are doing.

“He did really, really well and that’s why we won’t let Corrie out on loan at this minute until we know how Wardy is. But the other night was a good from him, he played really well, and we move on.

He has also ruled out fielding loan signing Mark McGuinness, primarily a centre-half, in the position: “He won’t play left-back, no.”

Regarding any further injuries from the MK Dons game, he added: “Flynn and Wardy are our main concerns from it. Everybody else at this moment is not too bad.”

Photo: Matchday Images

MickMillsTash added 10:31 - Oct 9 So Ward is out then I think this game tells us a lot about ITFC this season, we will come under pressure and I worry whether the defence, despite the clean sheets, is up to it.
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d77sgw added 10:39 - Oct 9 I suspect you're right MMT and similarly worry we are going to fail to get a result. Kenlock is not up to standard, and its worrying that Lambert does not see that - suspect defensively, and offers little going forward. Would rather see Donacien there.
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ArnieM added 10:55 - Oct 9 “Still a doubt for Saturday “! I thought he was going to be out for a while , full stop. Hope fun it a serious injury fit once then .
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Ipswichbusiness added 10:58 - Oct 9 To my mind the miss KV-Y and Ward the most. That said, I'm sure that Kenlock will improve if he has a run in the side; it must be difficult just playing the odd match here and there.
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Icantbelieveyousaidt added 11:00 - Oct 9 Some of you are so biased as to let it cloud your opinion. Basically the manager is saying for goodness sake give the lad a chance. First it was Chambers, then it was Toto and now it is Kenlock. I suggest you are actually hoping he has a poor game. Most sensible and knowledgeable supporters are aware that our defence is not the issue; just glance at the league table for last season and again this season so far. From a long term basis it will be our inability to score sufficient goals that might be our undoing and not our defence.

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Wallingford_Boy added 11:42 - Oct 9 So Ward is only a doubt, so assume he'll be fine with another week of rest. But then he talks about Kenlock now getting a run in the team, implying Ward will be out for a while?!
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Linkboy13 added 11:54 - Oct 9 Massive blow as we haven't got adequate cover at left back. I think Bailey Clements would have been a better choice than Kenlock but he's out on loan, Kenlocks just not physically up to first team football. A point tomorrow would be very good.
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OwainG1992 added 11:57 - Oct 9 Hope Kenlock does well. He doesn't have the defensive mindset and experience of ward. But I remember a game when we had Celina on the left wing and Kenlock behind where his attacking game was excellent. Perhaps he can push ahead.
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Linkboy13 added 12:02 - Oct 9 I don't think managers are going to give players a run in the side at the expense of results it just doesn't happen in the real world. Kenlocks had several runs in the team if we had adequate cover in that position a loan would do him good.
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chepstowblue added 12:17 - Oct 9 My worry with Kenlock is that he looks incredibly unfit. I'd not want him venturing over the halfway line as he takes an eternity to get back. I've only seen Clements once( luton last season) where he was very poor. Against Blackpool we need to be strong and athletic...Ndaba would fit the bill. It appears that's not going to happen. We've ridden our luck defensively so far this season, i fear it comes to an end tomorrow.

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RobITFC added 12:21 - Oct 9 Would prefer Woolfenden, Ndaba or Donacion at left back but suppose Kenlock deserves his chance so fingers crossed for tomorrow.
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Monkey_Blue added 12:57 - Oct 9 The same people moaning about Kenlock probably also moan we don't give our own a chance. He's a decent player and can't improve without playing regularly.
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MonkeyAlan added 13:23 - Oct 9 Our defense is going to get found out tomorrow. It's powder puff. And as for our strikers well, they are as weak as water.
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smithy0981 added 14:01 - Oct 9 I'm sorry but Kenlock is not a decent player, I would go so far as saying I'm not sure how is is a professional footballer. He is terrible, his defending and positioning is woeful. We are bang in trouble with Kenlock in the team. Would prefer Corrie there all day long
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Linkboy13 added 18:26 - Oct 9 Our youngsters should only be introduced to the first team when they are good enough and not given preferential treatment. Ive watched Kenlock many times playing for the u18s and he was outstanding and predicted a big future for him but he just hasn't developed physically and finds it hard at senior level.
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Karlosfandangal added 19:12 - Oct 9 If the result goes against us it might give a chance to Woolfenden and McGinuess. Which I would prefer at the back but saying that can't fault the lads at the back at the minute.
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