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Clarke a Doubt, Moore and Sarmiento Train, But Williams Still Not Back
Friday, 23rd Feb 2024 15:09

Harry Clarke is an injury concern ahead of Saturday’s home game against Birmingham City, while Kieffer Moore and Jeremy Sarmiento trained today and George Hirst is making progress, but Brandon Williams remains back at Manchester United having suffered a setback.

Asked how his squad is following Tuesday’s 4-3 victory over Rotherham United, manager Kieran McKenna said: “I think we’ve come through it pretty well. Injury-wise, Kieffer was OK with his knee, he managed to train today with the knock that he got on his knee.

“Jeremy had a scan but his hamstring was just tightness, there was no strain, so he trained a bit of the session today, so there’s a possibility he could be involved tomorrow.

“Harry had pretty severe dead leg so he’s been very inhibited, so we’re going to have to leave that decision until tomorrow to see what his involvement might be able to be in the game.

“I think apart from that, everyone’s come through it well. It’s been a busy run of games. I think that did show in certain bits of the game on Tuesday night, but that was also coming off of Wednesday-Saturday away from home on a really heavy pitch with lots of travel.

“We’ve got two home games in a row now, we have the extra day with the Tuesday-Saturday game and everyone today seemed in a pretty good place and I’m sure by three o’clock tomorrow with a packed out Portman Road, I’m sure the energy levels will be really good.”

McKenna says winger Wes Burns, the Blues’ man of the match against the Millers, is fine, despite landing on his shoulder having missed games earlier in the campaign following a similar incident while with Wales: “Yes, he’s OK. He landed on his shoulder, but no issue.”

Midfielder Jack Taylor remains sideline having been ill as well as having had a quad issue.

“Jack’s had a bit illness which has knocked him back a few days,” McKenna added. But he’s not too far away now and all being well he’ll train in some part with the group next week.” 

Town had hoped that Williams, who returned to Old Trafford for assessment just after Christmas, would be back at the club a week or so ago, but the full-back is still with his parent club.

“We were hoping that that would be the timescale, but he’s had a setback in his recovery, so he’s still at United, he’s not training yet,” McKenna said.

“He’s their player so we’re not sure how long the setback’s going to take, but he’s not even on the grass with them yet, so it’s still a little while away.”

Regarding George Hirst, who has been unavailable since the turn of the year since undergoing surgery on a ruptured hamstring, McKenna said: “He’s progressing as planned, really. He’s working in the gym, he’s not on the grass yet and he’s still on course to hopefully be fit in and around the very back end of the season.”


Photo: Matchday Images



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MaySixth added 15:17 - Feb 23
Wes Burns at rb please
2

Hatman2 added 15:23 - Feb 23
Likely Axel at RB then. Only other option could be Dom Ball
1

tractor_lady added 15:26 - Feb 23
When is Donacian back!
2

Linkboy13 added 15:32 - Feb 23
This is a big problem we have very little strength in depth defensively good div one would be my assessment.
0

PhuketPete added 15:52 - Feb 23
Does Fridege deserve a chance at RCB alongside CamB..? I think so but doubt it will happen if Harry is oui
0

cfmoses added 15:55 - Feb 23
Looks like Moore Sarmiento will make the match day squad. Tuanzebe in for Clarke. Would like to see Hutch get a start as a 10:ahead of Chappers. Wouldn’t be surprised if Ali starts as well.
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Len_Brennan added 16:01 - Feb 23
MaySixth - I was thinking that too.
I know Tuanzebe is the likely replacement, while Ball covers there & Travis has also played a number of games at RB, but they are central midfielders & a centre half. A lot of our success thia season has come from Clarke, & indeed Williams, really pushing on as an overlapping wingback on Burns's side. Yes it has left us vulnerable on the break, but the results ultimately speak for themselves.
With Omari playing so well on the right side atm, we could afford to start Wes at RB, we knows the role, has the pace & defensive abilities to job a good job there. If Omari needs to come off after 60+ minutes, we still have Jackson or other options than can play on the right side of the three.
2

ernie added 16:07 - Feb 23
Brandon Williams has had a setback in recovery

FTFY
0

cfmoses added 16:08 - Feb 23
Hladky Axel Woolfie Burgess Davis Morsey Luongo Burns Hutch Broadie Ali Subs Moore Sarmiento Chappers Humph Harness Jackson Walton Travis Ball
0

cressi added 16:17 - Feb 23
I'd play 3 Central defenders wolf Edmondson and Burgess
Then wide Burns and Davis.
Tuanzebe was poor Tuesday night.
6

dirtydingusmagee added 16:39 - Feb 23
well we can only hope all are fit again soon cant afford to lose players on the run in ,As a side note at least KM refered to Taylor as ''Jack's'' not as ''Jacksie'' as would have been the case with a previous manager . ! lol . Dont forget we are Leicester supporters tonight , COYB
1

MK1 added 16:42 - Feb 23
Travis would be my choice. Played a fair few there for Blackburn. If not, has to be Axel.
1

TractorfactorSteve added 16:52 - Feb 23
Really don't think Axel is living up to the promise we were told he would bring. Has he had a good match yet? Whatever Harry's faults he's a better player in that position than Axel.
5

DifferentGravy added 17:05 - Feb 23
Tuanzebe at RB......yikes.
3

MickMillsTash added 17:15 - Feb 23
Tuanzebe was decent at Stoke at RB
I think he will play
Wolfie played at RB at Crystal Palace in a cup game early in his career and looked decent - with his range of passing - Im surprised he hasn't played there again but I wouldn't mess with the Centre backs at this stage of the season.
0

TedTurnip added 17:27 - Feb 23
I think he will stick with CB and LW as CB's and go for GE over TZ at RB. Amen
0

baxterbasics added 17:30 - Feb 23
If Tuanzebe gets the RB spot I hope McKenna finds a way to light a firework up his bum.
4

GoingUp added 17:44 - Feb 23
Burns please RB
0

GoingUp added 17:44 - Feb 23
Burns please RB
0

chepstowblue added 17:47 - Feb 23
Lovely to see the term 'man of the match' used instead of the utterly pathetic and politically correct boll*cks 'player of the match' !
1

ArnieM added 19:32 - Feb 23
Axel for me. He's right footed and can bring the ball forward too.oh and he can header and tackle!!
0

arc added 01:57 - Feb 24
How about Woolfenden at RB and Tuanzebe at CB?
-2


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