Big summer signing Bersant Celina will make his second Town debut at Lincoln City tomorrow afternoon if the club resolves some red tape currently standing in the way of the 25-year-old’s involvement.

Last week, Cook said Celina, who joined the club late in the transfer window on loan from Dijon, was in with a chance of making the trip to Sincil Bank having had an interrupted pre-season due to Covid and pericarditis.

Quizzed on whether the Kosovo international will be on the coach which travels this afternoon, Cook said: “Again guys, I can’t go through debating every player, whilst I appreciate more than anyone the fans and the optimism around Bersant being available.

“I understand the question, at the minute it’s probably difficult to give you the correct answer.

“We’re probably waiting on a little bit of red tape, if the truth be known. If the red tape goes well, the reality is Bersant will be on the pitch tomorrow.”

Asked what the red tape relates to, Cook said: “Don’t ask me! I think that’s [club secretary] Stuart [Hayton]’s department down at the ground. All I can say is that that’s looking very, very strong and hopefully we can have some good news on that.”

We understand the club are waiting for confirmation from the Government regarding the forward's working visa, everything having been completed at the Blues' end.

How has Celina looked in training? “When you’ve got a player of that quality in the building, quality that our fans have already seen, a big match player, a big game player, a great lad, a lad who just loves football, just wants to play football and wants to play well for Ipswich Town Football Club.

“I think with those ingredients, everybody knows what the boy will bring to the team.”

Cook was keeping his cards close to his chest on whether winger Kyle Edwards will be fit enough to return after missing last week’s 5-2 home defeat to Bolton.

“Again, everybody’s working so hard, the physios, the performance team, everyone to get everyone fit and available,” he said.

Midfielder Scott Fraser also missed last Saturday's game with Cook having said both players were suffering with only minor knocks.

James Norwood returned from his hamstring injury for Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham’s U21s in the Papa John’s Trophy, while Toto Nsiala remains sidelined with his hamstring problem.

Midfielder Samy Morsy will be serving the second game of the three-match ban which is a hangover from his time with Middlesbrough.

Photo: ITFC

CaptainAhab added 09:53 - Sep 17 Be great to see him on the pitch again
11

HighgateBlue added 09:59 - Sep 17 So Cook's latest signing is not available to play, and Cook doesn't understand why? Great.
-12

masetheace added 10:09 - Sep 17 But Mosey won't be there so if the boss is right we should expect another soulless display without him !!!
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BeattiesBackPocket added 10:24 - Sep 17 Highgateblue he said it's the red tape around his visa? Can you not read. Do you know everything about visas?? People moan for the sake of moaning on here sometimes
21

Europablue added 10:29 - Sep 17 HighgateBlue Cook is due his fair share of criticism, but government bureaucracy is not his fault.
12

Bluechip75 added 10:38 - Sep 17 Beattiesbackpocket. Even if you explain things in detail to the habitual moaners on here they will not understand. They hav'ent got alot between the ears.
9

NorthLondonBlue2 added 10:45 - Sep 17 Oooh, I know I know! It's because of Brexit, isn't it? Brexit - as much winning as ITFC!
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OwainG1992 added 10:46 - Sep 17 @Highgate come on now. He clearly knows what it is. As others say yes he deserves criticism. But for this? Just give your head a shake.
6

stocktractor added 10:56 - Sep 17 i dont undertsand this secrecy regarding our team..we were favourites, we have the strongest squad in the league..id name it 3 days before for a little reverse psychology..there we go boys that's us now try and beat us. feels like he doesn't even know his own team until 2.55.
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bugblatter added 11:33 - Sep 17 Another feel-good story thanks to Brexit. The gift that keeps on giving.
-6

Pilgrimblue added 11:34 - Sep 17 While Celina will ad to our attacking options, the real issue is our central midfield where both Harper and Evans have failed to control the play and have allowed the defence to be too exposed. Also I don't like Cook's formation as the 3 behind the sole striker seem to be in no mans land.
1

Billysherlockblue added 11:36 - Sep 17 Were all entitled to our opinion but lets give cook a break hes hurting aswell as us fans. His dad just died. Sorry for his loss RIP. Cooks and our luck will turn. Lets give it till xmas. Then there will be no excuses. Its like learning a new golf swing... great on the range but on the course a little ropey till it all comes together. Time is the key but our players have to bust their a.s to get that first result. Give it all... i mean everything... for us fans on Saturday and ye will win. In the dressing room the capt stands up and says everyone covers everyone lets make this our 1st win. And ye will win. Its all attitude and work ethic. Roll on sat. Super blues forever 💙

7

Wacko added 11:43 - Sep 17 Celina having second thoughts.. :D
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Monkey_Blue added 11:58 - Sep 17 Cook says a lot of things hailed as honesty that are the opposite and backside covering, however I have no problem with him not giving details on injuries or what the issue is with Celina's Visa. I don't mind him not telegraphing his starting line up, especially as the opposition already know the formation and tactics will be exactly the same as every other game. A managers job is to get the best out of players and get results, not to give fans the details. No problem with a manager lying to us if it's for the teams benefit rather than his own.

2

markytitfc added 13:02 - Sep 17 I wonder what "the reality" will be if we lose again
-1

Kingfisher49 added 13:23 - Sep 17 We will win when we are least expecting it. And that could well be tomorrow.
0

istanblue added 20:23 - Sep 17 Sounds like Jewell and Karouma
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