Borussia Mönchengladbach sporting director Roland Virkus says Town’s decision to field an U21s squad in this afternoon’s friendly between the clubs at the ATS Sportpark in Heimstetten is “incredibly disappointing” (KO 2.30pm CET, 1.30pm BST).

The Blues announced last night that it would be a young squad managed by John McGreal taking on Die Fohlen in this afternoon’s match, Town having been impacted by injuries during pre-season.

Keeper Cieran Slicker is the only player with any first team experience in the Blues’ XI, while Die Fohlen have named a very strong side.

“We’ve had a great training camp and were hoping to round the week off with a friendly against strong English opposition,” Virkus told his club social media.

“That Ipswich have now gone against our contractual agreement due to personnel issues is incredibly disappointing and has left us very frustrated.

“Unfortunately, we were unable to find an alternate friendly opponent at short notice, so we have no choice but to try and make the best out of the situation.”

Ideally, Blues boss Kieran McKenna would have liked to have fielded two separate senior XIs in the games against Borussia and then Hoffenheim on Saturday, but admitted at the weekend he was struggling for numbers with a number of players having picked up knocks.

“We hope so because the games are pretty close apart,” McKenna said when asked whether he planned to field different sides in the two matches following last Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Fortuna Düsseldorf at Portman Road.

“But we don’t have the bodies for that in terms of senior players at the moment, so we’re going to have to have a look at it and try and find the right balance between stretching and pushing the boys with minutes but not over-pushing them. In an ideal scenario we’d have two separate XIs to play the games.”

Town U21s: Slicker, Jambang, H Barbrook, Maionis (c), Ayoola, Turner, Valentine, Carr, Foyo, Roberts, Ayinde. Subs: Williamson, Okunowo, Nwabueze, O Davis, T Taylor, Onuchukwu, Babb, Morgan.

Borussia: Omlin, Itakura, Stöger, Weigl, Honorat, Kleindienst, Plea, Netz, Reitz, Scally, Elvedi.

Photo: IMAGO/fohlenfoto via Reuters Connect

Bluemike31 added 13:24 - Aug 2 What an embarrassment
22

ImAbeliever added 13:25 - Aug 2 Not ‘Good’
17

Lord_Mac added 13:29 - Aug 2 I can see his point to be fair. Probably the end of our participation this tournaent.
19

tetchris added 13:29 - Aug 2 Ashton needs to get his finger out and get some deals done!
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muhrensleftfoot added 13:30 - Aug 2 A poor show. Not surprised Borussia Mönchengladbach are not happy. Not up to the usual high standards set by our current ownership
30

EatonBlue added 13:31 - Aug 2 Monchensadbach. By the way, why is he holding an ice cream?
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VitalSigns added 13:31 - Aug 2 The club would only take this step as a last resort. I’m afraid however it does reflect poorly on our professionalism. A combination of injuries to players and a definite lack of signings have put us in this position. We desperately need to get players in.
22

Saxonblue74 added 13:32 - Aug 2 Not great, but let's hope our lads go out and beat them after these comments!
3

Cervantes added 13:33 - Aug 2 This doesn't reflect very well on us. It's important to protect our senior players but it's also important to conduct ourselves properly. With the caveat of not knowing the complete picture, it seems like we're short changing our opponents. It's not the sort of behaviour that I've come to expect from our club over the last two or three years.
17

itfc1108 added 13:34 - Aug 2 He will be rightly offended also because we have chosen to play the youngsters against team, rather than Hoffenheim.
9

TractorfactorSteve added 13:35 - Aug 2 I know it's an old one but when will we next get the chance to hear the opposition begin their chant of 'Give us a B etc? They might be 5-0 up by the time they're finished.
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ArnieM added 13:42 - Aug 2 Doubt we’ll be invited back. Our ore season is very stop start and so many players either not even undertaken pre season or are out injured. This is not going to plan atm
10

Nazemariner added 13:42 - Aug 2 I can't say I blame him. It's not a good look for our club, but we have to prepare for the season in a manner that benefits Ipswich Town.
4

MickMccarthyWasRight added 13:45 - Aug 2 German Mr Potato head
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Karlosfandangal added 13:45 - Aug 2 Not good for the start of the season, not having enough players and Two of the best sides in the Prem as our opening fixtures
9

Flight_of_Shefki added 13:48 - Aug 2 Bit of a worrying start to the season, but I have faith. As for fans blowing their tops on this - you've just gotta smile and wave, boys. It is, what it is.
4

DavefromWatford added 13:49 - Aug 2 I can understand him being unhappy. Maybe Kieran could have played half 1st teamers & half under 21`s then he might not have been so unhappy. We definitely need some more signings that`s a fact.
9

ITFC_History added 13:50 - Aug 2 It’s like Nice turning up next Saturday with a u21 team. I wouldn’t be happy either Unless I’ve read the situation wrong
14

Kickingblock added 14:00 - Aug 2 What team are town going to field in a fortnight? Unbelievable....
2

BeattiesBackPocket added 14:01 - Aug 2 Same people moaning here will be the same moaning if we’d played the first team got more injuries then started the season losing due to those injuries. There’s no please some on here. Personally you’re never guaranteed a first team at friendlies I’ve been to loads over the years and mckennas doing the right thing. The league is surely more important than a friendly no?? And Tetchris are you actually joking or one of those new fans who’s rocked up in the past two years?? We’ve don’t good business so far and they’ve already said we’re not finished but you can only work with what you’ve got and the market we’re in now is the same for any prem club look at Liverpool not ONE signing ffs get a grip

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herfie added 14:01 - Aug 2 Fully understand his disappointment and frustration. However, was the option (and wisdom) of playing two first team games, on successive days, ever a realistic option? No doubt it was assessed as do-able when originally set-up, without taking full account of potential absences, injuries etc. I know hindsight is a wonderful thing, but in truth our first team squad is not huge, and anticipated arrival to strengthen it have yet to materialise. Not that fussed over this one; but a bit concerned of the shape we’re in as the season’s start grows closer. But keeping the faith!

7

FrankMarshall added 14:01 - Aug 2 Should have had a mix of senior squad and U21 in both games. I'd be unhappy if I were him also.
7

FifeITFC added 14:02 - Aug 2 Nicht gut.
3

blues1 added 14:03 - Aug 2 Davefromwatford. Thr point is, kieron wants to play the whole 1st team together as its only 2,weeks prior to the season. So doing that would have defeated the object. They should just be happy we were willing to put out a team at all, rather than just cancel the game altogether. We have to look after ourselves, not worry about their feelings on it. I'm sure it's not what we would have wanted to do. Also sure,,we're not the only team who's had to do this in friendlies. A bit strange that fans are moaning about it happening in a friendly but accept it when it happens in cup games.

1

blues1 added 14:05 - Aug 2 Tetchris. As ur obviously so good, and think it's easy to sign players, just like that, maybe you should get Ashton to give you the task of signing players.we have already signed more players at this point than we had this time last season.
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