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

BcarefulwhatUWish4 added 11:06 - Aug 2 Hladky will take his chance, I'm sure.
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Ipswich1977 added 12:19 - Aug 2 It is a worry about Walton and the interest from Luton Town. I can't see him going but then a season in the Premier League has appeal even if it is going to be short lived.
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Monkey_Blue added 13:03 - Aug 2 More than 8 months for the pain to go with me. Mornings were terrible. Couldn’t run for a tube or train without extreme pain. Although I wasn’t taking painkillers and getting daily treatment.
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Monkey_Blue added 13:06 - Aug 2 Not worried about Clarke’s suspension, more his injury. Away to Sunderland in front of 40,000… suspect JD might be the better pick for this game anyway… like Clarke but defensively Janoi is better.
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blueboy1981 added 16:43 - Aug 2 Who said we don’t need more strength in the Squad ?? - we haven’t Kicked a Ball in anger yet, and the Treatment Room is busy already !! You fools who believe and keep posting ‘the Season is long’ will see just how important early points on the Board in the Championship will be … !! And we already have a few if’s, but’s, and maybe’s …. hanging around .. !! We needed another couple of signings - by NOW - and before we start, otherwise we’ll soon be hearing / seeing again ‘players need time to Gel’ - once more ! This is NOT League 1 Remember !!

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Pettabelieveit added 17:11 - Aug 2 Hladky is a more than competent deputy and Donacien never lets the side down. Ball has played a bit at RB during pre season too. Pre opening game nerves are getting the better of some on here and it’s only Wednesday!
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Gdunkdafunk added 17:56 - Aug 2 It's always entertaining reading the comments, lots of sensible ones & as ever, the doom n gloom brigade. Not happy that players have injuries but only Clarke's is of any real concern. I'd like more security in defence & do not doubt MA is on the case. He's told us he is and ain't let us down so far.
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blueboy1981 added 19:54 - Aug 2 Auston Trusty should have been signed before now — there’s serious competition for him now !!
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davidsc1971 added 04:14 - Aug 3 I'm not surprised 6 matches has been mentioned as it's not nice. A good opportunity for Hladky to get a run out and he's more than capable. Pre-season fan jitters are part of the deal and should settle once we're all back into it - remember we got promoted in style, have a manager that knows his onions and a squad good enough to ride out issues like this. Nothing to see here. COYB

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gosblue added 09:47 - Aug 3 No tactical changes just because Walton is missing. RB is more worrying as we don’t have cover. Why is the U21s RB not banging on KMcK’s door? If I was the owner I’d be asking that question. Previous seasons in this division have seen us trying to fit square pegs into round holes. I remember having about 300 midfielders all injured at the same time. Championship recruitment has also been a slow process for us historically. Luckily, we bought our first team last season and in the summer. Yes we need more bodies in but I don’t think it’s as urgent as some might suggest. We’re still good enough to beat Sunderland. COYB

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