Town boss Kieran McKenna has confirmed defender Axel Tuanzebe is facing a long spell on the sidelines with the hamstring injury he suffered at Nottingham Forest on Saturday, while midfielder Kalvin Phillips and full-back Ben Johnson will be assessed before tomorrow evening’ home game against Crystal Palace.

Tuanzebe, one of the Blues’ top performers this season, suffered the injury in the second half of the match at the City Ground.

“We’ve lost Axel, hamstring, long term and had a couple of other knocks and little issues from the game that are being assessed today,” McKenna said when asked about injuries from the weekend.

The injury follows the hand injury which saw the DR Congo international miss three games after he severely cut his thumb with a broke glass while washing up.

“He’s done really well in terms of availability over the nearly 18 months that he’s been here,” McKenna reflected, the 27-year-old having had significant injury problems prior to joining the club in the summer of 2023 following his release by Manchester United.

“When you have a freak injury like he had that made him miss quite a few games for us over quite a long period, then you get a muscular injury like this which can happen, it compounds it and it means a very important player for us we’re going to miss for a large chunk of the season. It’s disappointing for him and disappointing for us as well.

“We know the significance of the injury, he’s seeing specialists, it’s still too early to say [precisely how long he might be out]. Hopefully it won’t need surgery but he’s getting specialists’ opinion over the next 24 hours, I think. But it’s a significant hamstring injury, so it’s not one that’s going to be a couple of weeks.”

Regarding Phillips and Johnson, who have been unavailable for the last two matches due to fitness issues, he said: “Kalvin had an ankle roll that he picked up shortly after the Leicester game. He’s trained with the group today and is feeling better.

“We have to make a decision with regards to tomorrow night. Definitely, touch wood, should be in a great position come Sunday’s game.

“And Ben pretty similar. Ben has a small muscular injury that he’s missed some training with for just over a week. He’s trained a bit with the group today as well, so again, we’ll have to make a decision for tomorrow night but hopefully by the end of the week, both will be in a good place.”

Photo: Matchday Images

ChestnutSe added 14:48 - Dec 2 That’s a big blow. Our performances have been much better with Axel back in the side. Ben Johnson was a revelation the last few games he played before this latest injury. I hope is is available soon to help offset the loss of Axel.
9

CamposBarnet added 14:51 - Dec 2 Ouch, this is one that I did not want to see this afternoon. Swift recover Axel. You will be missed!
10

Bluearmy_81 added 14:51 - Dec 2 Gutted. Need to get a RB in in January. No coincidence that Tuanzebe was back when we beat Spurs. HC and BJ simply aren’t as good
-4

WaltonBlueNaze added 14:56 - Dec 2 Terrible news - and really bad luck for Axel - we certainly seem to be picking up more serious injuries this season, is it because the players are absolutely at their maximum in training as well as the matches and the greater speed and intensity in the PL is causing more fatigue with regards to muscle pulls and strains. We really need a good a transfer window. COYB

11

MickMillsTash added 14:56 - Dec 2 EZE will be on their left tomorrow Big shame, Johnson was decent vs Spurs but seems to be hit and miss
2

Bramidan added 15:02 - Dec 2 Well he did come with a history of injuries so not a huge surprise. He does look a Rolls Royce defender when he’s playing. A big loss.
4

Bert added 15:04 - Dec 2 Big blow for the player and club. Switch O’Shea if Greaves is fit ?
2

oncebluealwaysblue added 15:07 - Dec 2 @Bert, did you not see O'Shea's last performance at full back?!
1

ITFC_LOU added 15:08 - Dec 2 I hope he doesnt shift o'shea to RB, hes been putting in some top performances and has finally found his feet at CB, time for Johnson or Clarke to step up.....
4

Monkey_Blue added 15:18 - Dec 2 Is a blow but we have Johnson and Clarke in the squad for a reason. One of them will play tomorrow and has the challenge of keeping the shirt. I still think there is plenty of progress possible with Harry who is my choice for the palace game. At home where we are looking to press them and dominate he’s the better option in my opinion.
3

runningout added 15:20 - Dec 2 Bit of a blow. AT will be back stronger :-)
0

IPSWICHMOUSE added 15:20 - Dec 2 ITFC_LOU....Agree with not shifting O'Shea to rb.....but Clarke v Eze will be a nightmare...Hope i'm wrong....COYB...ITID...
0

AYACCA added 15:24 - Dec 2 Massive blow, gutted for him. Great 1v1 defender and rarely gives it away cheaply
5

1Warky added 15:38 - Dec 2 Devastating blow. He's so good at this level. Anytime you see Axel tracking back against a player, you just know he's going to get there. So much stability when he is there and it enables us to be more adventurous beyond that position. We haven't had a break with injuries.
5

Cakeman added 15:42 - Dec 2 Need a few reinforcements in January. A bit thin on the ground defensively and missing a second number 9.
1

grinch added 15:46 - Dec 2 Clarke is not good enough at this level oshea at right back until johnson fit enough. This is terrible news for town thats both right sided olayers with ogdene out all season tough tough luck
1

Tractorboy58 added 15:47 - Dec 2 Can still play a system of 3 CBs with Greaves, O'Shea and Burgess with HC or BJ at RB and Leif on the left
6

Gforce added 16:05 - Dec 2 Terrible news ,just got to hang in there until the January reinforcements arrive.
2

ChingShady added 16:10 - Dec 2 Axel has made such a difference each time he's been in the side. He's defensively sound and probably our best 1v1 defender. I'm worried and now we're about to miss him for the run against Palace, Bournemouth and Wolves...
4

blues1 added 16:12 - Dec 2 Caveman. How are we light defensively? We have 8 defenders, and only tuanzebe now, is injured.
-2

Mariner1974 added 16:12 - Dec 2 Brutal! The way he's been playing and how he's improved the team when he's on the pitch, he's become our key defender. Real shame to lose him as he's the best one on one defender facing up against opposition left wingers. Callum Hudson-Odoi really wasn't enjoying that game saturday. Fingers crossed we can keep the other 3-4 essential players in the team (I'm not gonna name them) fit and healthy all through to the new year...

1

Skip73 added 16:20 - Dec 2 I believe there are more injuries at this level due to lack of games. Players arent 100% match fit having a week off every 4 games. Yet Sly Sports keep banging on about burnout. Pathetic really.
5

PortmanTerrorist added 16:20 - Dec 2 Gutted for us and Axel. HOWEVER, looking forward to the Harry Clarke redemption story! A fully fit Harry might have been the RB answer all along anyway. Hopefully that story starts tomorrow night....we are all behind you Harry !
3

TimmyH added 16:55 - Dec 2 Real shame for Axel...sadly he seems to suffer long term with injury problems, he had an ongoing back problem for sometime before he joined us.
0

Saxonblue74 added 16:58 - Dec 2 Yes it's a blow, but an opportunity for another of our talented squad to step up. Cam Burgess did exactly that, he's been outstanding in Greaves absence.
3

Blogs 298 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls