Town boss Kieran McKenna says Kalvin Phillips and Ben Johnson will be assessed ahead of Saturday’s game at Nottingham Forest, while Jacob Greaves and Nathan Broadhead are both ready to be involved, but the Blues have had disappointing news on George Hirst following his scan.

McKenna says everyone came through last Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United unscathed, but that Phillips and Johnson, who both had minor knocks, will be looked at prior to the trip to the City Ground.

“I think that the games that we’ve had, no fresh issues, if I’m correct,” he said. “We still have Kalvin, who missed last weekend, Ben, who missed last weekend, as well as some of our longer-term injuries.

“They’re still being assessed and we’re going to have to make some decisions and judgements going into this weekend. But in terms of the Man United game, everyone came through it well.”

Regarding Hirst, who suffered a knee injury at Tottenham, he added: “George has had another scan and it wasn’t particularly great news. We were hoping that it might be particularly great news, and it wasn’t.

“It’s going to be a period of time, certainly. We’re still not exactly sure, but it’s going to take us through the Christmas period, we think.”

While Ali-Hamadi is the obvious replacement for Hirst, the Iraq international having taken the former Leicester man’s place on the bench last week, McKenna says there are also other options in addition to the ex-Wimbledon man, who he says, reiterating comments he made last week, is relishing the chance.

“For Ali, it’s a really good opportunity,” he said. “But not just for Ali because Sam Szmodics can play in a version of a striker role, Nathan Broadhead can play in a version of a striker role, but Ali is the most natural last line presence of a striker and he’s really looking forward to it.”

McKenna confirmed that Greaves, who returned to training following his hamstring injury last week, and Broadhead, who had picked up a groin problem having previously suffered a hamstring issue in pre-season, are both ready to return to the squad.

“He’s training well,” McKenna said regarding the Wales international. “He had an injury before the Tottenham game in the week building up to that one, so he missed that game and unfortunately wasn’t able to go on international duty because he’s eager to get game time and we’re eager for him to get game time.

“It’s been longer than any of us would have wanted with his injury very early in pre-season that ruled him out well into the autumn.

“He’s now training well, not feeling any problems. We know the talent that he has and that he can play a big role in helping us create and score goals and I feel like there’s every chance that he’ll have his opportunities to do that over the next few weeks with the way the fixtures are coming. He’s ready to go and hopefully he can have a big impact for us.”

Photo: Matchday Images

Jimmys_Law added 14:53 - Nov 28 George Hirst being out for the run-up to Christmas is a big blow, he was looking great before getting injured. Al-Hamadi will hopefully make the step up in the next couple of seasons, but we need a more ready back-up to Delap, who will be run into the ground over the coming weeks with how much we will be asking of him. A new striker in January must now be an urgent position to fill! We've done good business for strikers in the last two January windows, and we'll need to do just as well again this time around

9

ChingShady added 15:23 - Nov 28 Even if KP was fit, after last few performances from Cajuste - I think i'm leaning towards Cajuste as it stands, he has been quality since coming into the side.
27

BlueMoon added 15:23 - Nov 28 Can't Broadhead play up front? Seem to recall he's done that in the past.
7

londonben added 15:26 - Nov 28 Agreed ChingShady - Cajuste is looking better and better with each game, thought he looked class against Utd.
12

gsoly added 15:40 - Nov 28 I just don't see how you can play Broadhead up front in our system, or indeed in the Premier League. Of our current options, aside from Delap & Ali, I'd think Szmodics is the best bet - led the line himself at Blackburn last season. Chappers also more likely than Broadhead due to his physicality I imagine.
1

ITFC_Singapore added 15:49 - Nov 28 I feel due to his absences that a lot of Ipswich fans are forgetting just how highly talented Broadhead is. Yes, can be a bit patchy but has fantastic ability.
13

Suffolkboy added 15:49 - Nov 28 K Mc will know exactly what to do,& whether and which additions might be needed : planning ahead has always been a notable strength. COYB
7

DinDjarin added 16:34 - Nov 28 If we need to use Sammy up front as Ali is not up to it as of yet then Clarke & Broadhead would share the left 10 position.
3

cambs_blue added 17:20 - Nov 28 I think that sounds like Sammy might be on the bench this weekend and come for Delap. We really did fade against united when Delap went off. So if it enables us to got the go the full 90, it could be a good move.
2

PortmanTerrorist added 17:31 - Nov 28 For me Kalvin is out now until injury or suspension.....probably 4 days then ! Hopefully not as we need some good news as Hirst is a bitter blow for Town and the lad himself. So much talk of Delap but we all know Hirst probably fits our system better....even if he is not a one-man wrecking/scoring machine ! SO get well soon George, we need you, but in the meantime hope Ali can get some match fitness and make an impact....ditto Broady !.

0

gosblue added 18:25 - Nov 28 Sorry for repeating myself but Where are the kids.
0

Edmundo added 18:49 - Nov 28 Hard for a kid to come in mid season, especially in the Prem. The supply of youth was a trickle from 2009 onwards. It'll take another 3-4 years to get the flow going. Broadhead is like the Forgotten Man, but could be an option, like Sammie, up front. Nowhere near as strong as Delap though.
0

Cakeman added 19:10 - Nov 28 Certainly need a strong striker in the January window but that won’t be an easy task.
0

Eeyore added 19:43 - Nov 28 I agree it can be bit stressful when both Szmodics and Delap come off for the last 20. Al Hamadi came on against Man U and wasn’t really chasing everything when we were out of possession. I am sure McKenna will have mentioned that to him. Szmodics would really run his socks of for last 25. Broadhead will only come on if we are losing. Chaplin will replace Hutchinson late on. Greaves might replace O’Shea but Burgess will play if Wood plays. Definitely Morsy and Cajuste if both fit. Phillips on for last 25. Burns will start but I would also start with Clarke on left wing. But if he doesn’t start, and if we are holding out for a win or a point, don’t bring Grealish’s little brother on, send the other Clarke on!

0

Ianseamark added 22:04 - Nov 28 Eeyore. Grealish’s little brother lol Thought the same!
1

mathiemagic added 07:49 - Nov 29 Tough call in defence as O'Shea and Burgess seem to be playing well together, either would be right to feel hard done by if Greaves just waltzed back in. As for up top, fingers crossed we dont lose Delap to any kind of injury as Ali is just a L1 striker at best.
0

Cloddyseedbed added 12:21 - Nov 29 On the subject of Grealish's little brother, please will the club get him a pair of shorts that are actually his size and tell him to concentrate on his game and not constantly playing with his shorts/himself.
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dirtydingusmagee added 20:46 - Nov 29 Would like to be proved wrong,but I don't think Broadhead is up to Prem ,, not knocking him just think he will have a lot to prove at the level.
-1

peewee added 21:06 - Nov 29 Thing is ali I can't knock him for attitude and effort, he gives 100% but he did look like he was running around like a headless chicken playing United last Sunday. Tho injuries are the chance to prove you're self. Hladky last season is the best proof, you can earn your place in this town team
0

SouperJim added 11:05 - Nov 30 Al Hamadi was a cheap punt in the Championship, he is nowhere near Premier level and likely never will be. If Hirst is going to be out for any significant length of time then we need a replacement in ASAP.
0

Dissboyitfc added 13:34 - Nov 30 You can guarantee we are in the hunt for a striker come January! Glad we missed out on Broja, dodged a bullet there, he hasnt featured for Everton so far!
0

Dissboyitfc added 13:34 - Nov 30 You can guarantee we are in the hunt for a striker come January! Glad we missed out on Broja, dodged a bullet there, he hasnt featured for Everton so far!
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