Town are continuing to assess keeper Christian Walton's foot injury ahead of Sunday's opening Championship game of the season at Sunderland.

Walton missed both Friday’s friendlies in Austria due to a plantar fascia problem, which manager Kieran McKenna said was due to be assessed this week following those matches: “Christian has a little problem with his plantar fascia, so we’ll have to see how he is next week.”

Earlier this afternoon, it was reported that Walton was facing six matches out with the injury, however, we understand as it stands Town have not made a definitive assessment on the keeper’s likely absence, although it appears increasingly probable that the former Brighton man will miss the trip to the Stadium of Light.

If he doesn’t make it, Walton will miss only his second league game since Kieran McKenna took charge, the other the Blues boss’s first match against Wycombe Wanderers at Portman Road in December 2021. As was the case in that match, Vaclav Hladky would replace him.

Walton was one of Town’s top performers last season and recently attracted interest from Premier League new boys Luton Town. We understand the Hatters made an enquiry but were told Walton wasn’t for sale.

The Blues will be without Harry Clarke for the visit to Wearside with the defender suspended and also suffering with an achilles problem.

Massimo Luongo (groin) and Nathan Broadhead (quad) also missed last week's games in Austria having picked up what were expected to be minor niggles.

Photo: Matchday Images

MaySixth added 17:44 - Aug 1 FFS
2

Ipswichbusiness added 17:50 - Aug 1 Oh dear, both Walton and Clarke were important to us in the second half of last season.
1

ArnieM added 17:56 - Aug 1 Not sure why PF should keep a GK out tbh. I’m more concerned about Clarke’s Achilles injury especially as it appears to have been a problem for a while. When are these CB’s arriving then??
3

Runner added 18:08 - Aug 1 My wife says painful to walk on when she had it. He didn't look in any pain yesterday when I walk passed him while he was walking around Fore Street & talking on his mobile phone at the same time.
2

jimbob1968 added 18:09 - Aug 1 I think Clarke is unable to play at Sunderland anyway due to the red card from the last game last season. I may be wrong.
7

TedTurnip added 18:19 - Aug 1 Keeping him fit for the Luton deal........
-7

ArnieM added 18:20 - Aug 1 No, you’re right jimbob. Just as well then as gives longer to get treatment. Broadheads injury is s worry … hope it’s not a severe quads tear.
1

runningout added 18:26 - Aug 1 bit obvious Clarke will be out for a while. Heyho!!
-3

uefa1981 added 18:37 - Aug 1 Nasty I had a problem with plantar fascia. I couldnt actually walk for a few days, then it was a problem for a few weeks. Hope this puts a hat on the Luton rumours though
1

Ipswich_Sniffer added 18:46 - Aug 1 Lump on Sunderland win
-7

Bazza8564 added 18:46 - Aug 1 Injuries are part and parcel, we have a great squad and we have depth. I expect us to add more players and 46 games is a huge season, no panic IMO
6

Karlosfandangal added 18:53 - Aug 1 Town won’t sell Walton unless very silly money and Walton say he wants to leave. We have a very good second cover keeper so no big worry but need Walton back as soon as. Not worried about Donacien at right back. It Broadhead will be a huge miss
3

bluesince76 added 19:35 - Aug 1 Very quiet transfer window so far expected a lot more quality coming in a good start vital.
2

Tractor_Boy_Tommy added 19:39 - Aug 1 Off to Luton then
-6

Naylorsrightboot added 20:27 - Aug 1 Where are these centre halves then? We look weak at the back and if Walton is injured and Clarke is out long term we look even weaker. I'm not sure Burgess is up to championship football and Edmundson always looks suspect.
-2

Nobbysnuts added 20:33 - Aug 1 Broadhead is the big concern....I'm not sure if your get much more than 20 games out of him in a season....prediction league...Sunderland win.
-3

joyousblue added 21:03 - Aug 1 Tedturnip dont you mean keeping him unfit so there is no luton deal
0

mrmorisato added 21:19 - Aug 1 I totally agree with you @Runner I feel the club have strategically announced Waltons injury that has coincided with the transfer rumour with Luton....6 games is right up to about when the window closes! If he is only missing from the Sunderland game then we shouldn't read anything into this, Hladky is a good replacement and I'm not worried about CW's absence as I know the team will be more than ready for Sunderland.

1

WhoisJimmyJuan added 22:02 - Aug 1 The article indicates Broashead's injury is a minor one
0

churchmans added 23:09 - Aug 1 Plantar fascia! Took me 2years on and off until I was finally rid of the horrible pain! Especially in the morning after a run the night before! Absolutely knightmare
2

PhuketPete added 03:28 - Aug 2 CW is class but Vas deserves a chance anyway. He has clearly improved a LOT in the last two seasons under RG and training with CW. (Note: is Town holding Nick H back from a loan just in case CW is out for longer and in event of mishap to Vas?). Harry’s Achilles is more of a worry. Let’s hope it’s not too serious. JD is decent but let’s face it, we looked far more solid when Harry came in at RB (and when Mass was in front of back line). Nathan’s quad could also be a problem as could Mass’s adductor. Club initially indicated that both were niggling bit since have stayed quiet : presumably to keep Sunderland guessing. By the way, assuming we go up, I hope Tony and Mark can do same with Black Cats. They may be red and white now but will always be blue somewhere inside them !!

0

dirtydingusmagee added 07:52 - Aug 2 this has taken the edge off the excitement of approaching kick off, really hoping we can get off to a sound start. COYB
0

blues1 added 08:56 - Aug 2 Bluesince76. What are you on about? We only needed 3 orc4 players to add to thd squad. Already got 4 as it is, and still 2 or 3 incoming So how is that a quiet window?
-1

BobbyBell added 10:07 - Aug 2 So many negative comments on here. Why so much doom and gloom before the first match? Injuries happen and that's why we have a squad. Let's get behind the team. God knows what crap is going to be on here if we loose. I actually think some on here are already preparing their rants in advance ready for our first defeat.
2

Bert added 10:19 - Aug 2 The club gave an update because football web sites said Walton had a major injury which he apparently has not. Hladky more than up to it and Donacien equal to HC in my opinion. Agree that we need an additional centre back but I have always believed that patience is a virtue and Ashton will deliver.
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls