Town boss Kieran McKenna has confirmed that winger Chiedozie Ogbene is almost certainly out for the season having undergone surgery after tearing his achilles at Brentford last week, while skipper Sam Morsy, Omari Hutchinson, Ben Johnson and Massimo Luongo are all back in training.

Ogbene was stretchered off in the first half at the Gtech Community Stadium after suffering the injury in the build-up to the Blues’ second goal.

“Chieo had a surgery yesterday, it was an achilles tear,” McKenna said. “The surgery went well, he’s a really positive guy, he’s in good spirits but, of course, with that type of injury, it means that it’ll be unlikely he’ll play any or much football this season.

“A lot of it now will be preparing for next season and anything beyond that would be a bonus.”

Morsy missed last week’s match with a hamstring injury picked up in the Everton match but the Egyptian international was on the grass this morning.

“He’s trained today, so we have to make a judgement,” McKenna continued. “He’s missed since the Everton game really. He’s done one session, so he should be available for the squad, but in terms of minutes, we’ll have to make the judgement call with him and that conversation will be later on today.”

The Blues boss had praise for Jens Cajuste, who replaced Morsy against the Bees having not long returned to training himself following a knee problem.

“Jens has come through OK,” he said. “A fantastic effort from him, I have to say, great pride in how he performed but more so how he pushed his body more than that in the circumstances would have been ideal.

“Big, big credit to him, shows his commitment to the cause, showed his quality as well and hopefully he can stay fit now and if he can we think he’ll be a really important player for us.”

Right-back Johnson has also returned to training after a thigh problem, welcome news with Axel Tuanzebe (hand) and Harry Clarke (one-match ban) unavailable this weekend.

“Ben trained a little bit today as well and did some set plays yesterday, so again we’ve got a judgement call to make with that one,” McKenna said.

“He’s been out for quite a while, limited training. It’s going to be an intense game, but also he’s in a position where we need support at the moment.

“So, we’re going to make that call later on chatting to those players, who have had the session.”

McKenna confirmed that Hutchinson is OK having been ill last week - “Omari’s OK” - and that Luongo is in training after his ankle issue.

“Massimo’s trained today, so it’s not impossible that he could be involved before the international break,” he said.

Tuanzebe, Jack Taylor and Jacob Greaves (both hamstring) are all expected back after the international break: “Very likely so.”

Photo: Matchday Images

warwickblue added 14:57 - Nov 1 Nice to see a few of the boys returning to the squad. We were nearly down to Manchester City levels!
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Gforce added 15:14 - Nov 1 Ogbene will be a big miss,especially with Burns seemingly struggling at premier league level. Hopefully we will be lining up a quality replacement in January.
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Gforce added 15:22 - Nov 1 Obviously a big loss,but it may force Mckennas hand into playing Hutchinson wide right, with Smodics at 10,which wouldn't be a bad thing.
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ArnieM added 15:57 - Nov 1 I'd be playing Hirst up front and Delap wide right , sharing that role with Omari. Basically, I'd drop Burns. Chaplin or szmodics no.10 and Briadhead wide left. Clarke on the beach, he's too raw for 90 mins in PL football I'm afraid.
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ArnieM added 15:58 - Nov 1 Bloody predicted text!!! Broadhead wide left ( obviously) Clarke on the bench, although he prefer the beach!
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prebbs007 added 15:59 - Nov 1 Pretty much all our issues are defensively and without Greaves we are looking at our league 1 CBs which is a huge concern. We can score goals in this league but will always concede unless we vastly improve at the back. 20 goals against in 9 games tells the story. Muric Wallyden Cam Clarke just can’t cope at this level. Axel & Jacob are massive loses for us. Let’s hope we can outscore Leicester in a must win game.

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legoman added 16:02 - Nov 1 Harry Clarke must start. His tenacity and intensity is a must and he would have learned so much from last week.
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hoppy added 16:13 - Nov 1 Legoman... do you think there might be a slight problem with your plan, given Harry Clarke is suspended this weekend?
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BlueNomad added 16:57 - Nov 1 Prebbs007, you are incapable of posting anything without being detrimental about one of our players can you! It’s been going on for years. Woolfie’s turn this time. If you are true to form you will respond by calling me an idiot or similar.
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flykickingbybgunn added 18:06 - Nov 1 I wish well to Ogbene especially. To get to play regularly and then have it taken away is hard. Especially when the playing time at the top is so short.
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