Town boss Kieran McKenna has revealed that forward Omari Hutchinson looks set to miss the next few games with the knee injury he suffered in the challenge which saw Manchester United’s Patrick Dorgu red-carded two minutes before half-time at Old Trafford.

Hutchinson played on after the studs-high tackle before being replaced while visibly limping in the 66th minute of the game.

Manager McKenna says the 21-year-old has been ruled out of Monday’s FA Cup fifth-round tie at Nottingham Forest and probably the matches to follow with the Blues at Crystal Palace on the next Saturday and then at home to the Tricky Trees a week later.

“Omari’s had some scans, it is an injury to the knee area,” McKenna confirmed. “Thankfully, it doesn’t seem to be very, very serious but it is still significant, so he certainly won’t be involved in the next game and possibly the next few games, so that’s very disappointing.”

Midfielder Kalvin Phillips missed out at Old Trafford with a calf injury suffered against Spurs but McKenna says the on-loan Manchester City man is moving in the right direction, but again won’t be involved against Forest.

“Kalvin’s progressing well, not exactly sure when he’s going to be back,” he added. “He’s not training with the group today or for the next few days, so that’s a day-by-day case.”

McKenna says there will be the expected changes and keeper Aro Muric is in his thoughts for a return but with the Kosovo international also having a fitness problem.

“It’s a possibility, he’s carrying a bit of an issue with his shoulder at the moment that he’s managing. That’s part of it that we will factor into it as well,” he said.

“It’s good that he’s making himself available and he’s ready for the team in the games. But he’s also carrying a little issue.

“I’ll honestly have to get some judgements on that in the next couple of days and see how he is from a medical point of view, but it’s certainly a possibility that he’ll play but the little issue he has we’ll probably factor that in as well.”

Regarding on-loan Brighton forward Julio Enciso, who has been out since the Aston Villa game with a knee injury and would be cup-tied for Monday’s trip to the City Ground in any case, McKenna added: ”He's not training on the pitch yet but he's progressing well. He has stayed with us so it's good to have him around the building and the group.

“It helps with his English as well because there aren't many Spanish speakers here. If he's going to be understood it's going to be in English. He is working hard in the gym now and hopefully will be out on the grass soon.”

Regarding keeper Christian Walton, who hurt his groin at Liverpool, McKenna said: “I can't put an exact timescale on it but he's back doing some work on the grass with the goalie coaches.

“He's not involved with the team yet so we will see how he progresses. He is moving in the right direction.”

Reflecting on the injury issues which have hampered the availability of players throughout the season with right wingers Chiedozie Ogbene and Wes Burns ruled out for the season with achilles and ACL tears which required surgery, McKenna said: “It’s been a problem, there’s no doubt about it.

“Both the longer term ones, like losing Wes and Chieo to probably two of the most significant injuries you can get as a football player, season-ending ones with the unique profile that they have, that’s been a big, big challenge.

“And some unlucky ones in there, then some niggly ones and contact injuries and it’s been pretty disruptive from that point of view, and that’s been a challenge in the list of many, many challenges this year.

“But we have to make the best of it, however, we’ve been hoping for a little bit more luck on that front.

“Certainly didn’t get that with Omari the other night. Even the minutes he did stay on the pitch, I think he was playing through a lot more pain than he let on because he’s such a brave lad.

“And to lose him from the later stages of the game against a low block when he’s probably our most important player in that phase, and then to lose him for some more games, is a blow.

“We’ve had them all season but we can only control the reaction and we’ve got to find a good reaction to it.”

Photo: Matchday Images

henryblue added 15:37 - Feb 28 He just needs to get himself fit and ready for August now
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TimmyH added 15:40 - Feb 28 It just gets worse...injuries most games now.
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ITFCSG added 15:50 - Feb 28 "It helps with his English as well because there aren't many Spanish speakers here. If he's going to be understood it's going to be in English." Seriously? If English speakers are all KM can work with then he can kiss goodbye the idea of becoming a top Prem manager. Our international scouting network is weak, but I have a feeling KM has also closed his mind towards signing players from Europe, S America, Asia even if they were offered to us for precisely this reason.

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SickParrot added 15:59 - Feb 28 It's a relief that Omari only has a comparatively minor knee injury. I was amazed when he played on, as when I saw the replay of the incident I thought he might have a broken leg.
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SickParrot added 16:02 - Feb 28 With Omari out perhaps we will finally see what Szmodics can do in his best position?
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baxterbasics added 16:02 - Feb 28 I'm just relieved he has a leg left at all with the way that challenge could have gone.
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peckam added 16:07 - Feb 28 It was a hideous challenge and a deserved red card. Says a lot for his attitude that he wanted to carry on. Hope he won't be out too long. @ITFCSG - you have missed the point completely. It will benefit Enciso for his career if his English improves. As a thought watch the Joe Hart interview where he talks about playing abroad and not speaking the language - that's how non-English speakers feel when they live in our country!! As usual Kieran is thinking of player welfare and not I suggest as you have said.

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WaltonBlueNaze added 16:20 - Feb 28 I’m struggling to understand why Muric would be in KM’s thoughts, the more games Palmer plays the more confidence he will gain and the relationship with the defenders will also improve. If we want to try and progress in the cup we need Palmer to play. I would also send Phillips back to Man City, he’s not going to be with us next season, overall he’s been a huge disappointment, and his injury record has not been great either.

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PhuketPete added 16:37 - Feb 28 @peckam I think that’s right but also I believe KMcK’s coaching is heavy on communication to the players about tactics game and generally how to interact with each other in various situations. Add the challenge of most players having to learn the ropes of PL and I can see why he may have thought that coping with other languages was a bridge too far in this first season back.

1

mariner added 16:43 - Feb 28 Cant understand why Omari wasn't substituted, same for Hirts earlier this season - played on and the injury worsend....bad management.
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Suffolkboy added 16:46 - Feb 28 Man City experience has virtually ruined KP ,who still needs to get back to the fullest match fitness and muscle strength; challenge for us is that we could really do with a fully functioning KP ! That seems a little way off as he hones his body ,fitness and reactions ,when undoubtedly he’ll be a real asset on the pitch . We must be careful that our ‘impatience’ doesn’t overrule effective sound judgment ! ITFC have suffered significantly with injury etc in a season where consistent presence and developing performance are of prime importance , Such is life ! COYB

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Westy added 17:23 - Feb 28 It was a reckess challenge. You can see his leg flex and could easily have been leg-breaker.
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blues1 added 17:26 - Feb 28 Suffolkboy. Our midfield has been far better with Phillips and Cajuste, than with Morsy in there. Don't see what happened at city has anything to do with it right now. He's just been a bit unfortunate to have picked up 2 or 3 niggly injuries during the season
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blues1 added 17:28 - Feb 28 Walton blue naze. Phillips has been excellent after a slow,start. He and Cajuste by far our best pairing in midfield. Has had 3 injuries yes, but that's no1s fault. It's how it goes.
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WaltonBlueNaze added 18:00 - Feb 28 @blues1 - to say Phillips has been excellent is a massive exaggeration, he’s been good but that’s about all. He won’t be with us next season so why persevere with him, might as well give Jack Taylor some more experience - we have nothing too lose and at least he’s our player.
1

ArnieM added 18:50 - Feb 28 I can't believe Hutch didn't sustain a broken leg in that horrendous challenge. We've list a very good player now.
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Billysherlockblue added 20:28 - Feb 28 I think philip s has been very good last 6 weeks or so. Strong and fitter
1

Leejames99 added 00:00 - Mar 1 Who said Phillips won't be here next season? He might be settled and happy here, he has played Championship before but we could still stay up. Hutch injured so I think be J Clarke left, Phillogene right and Szmodicks in the 10 with Delap, we definately don't want Hirst in 1 goal and 1 SOT in 15 appearences is awful. Phillips and Cajuste been great, I hope we stay up so Cajuste stays as may Phillips and it will stop the Dad's Army trying to blag another season.

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ChrisBlue75 added 07:51 - Mar 1 Muric is excellent at claiming high balls from corners. All players have strengths and weaknesses.
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JewellintheTown added 07:54 - Mar 1 Dangerous challenges like that deserve points deductions on top of criminal charges. Players will think twice if their teammates & fans have to suffer & they get on their backs for it. That was professional assault & Dorgo knew what he was doing. Two minor yellows for a red don't compare to that kind of red challenge. Red fallout & a few games don't compensate us for Hutchs loss. Could be the difference between a chance to stay up or not. Club & player assaulted should get any fine money, & double it. Clearly wasn't an accidental tackle & needs seriously stamping out before careers get ended.

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cpaz97 added 00:33 - Mar 2 Muric should be absolutely nowhere near the team. Keep Palmer in, or give Slicker a chance.
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cpaz97 added 00:33 - Mar 2 Muric should be absolutely nowhere near the team. Keep Palmer in, or give Slicker a chance.
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Hatman2 added 17:09 - Mar 3 @Leejames99 Yes Phillips has played Championship before, when he was younger and on Championship money. Now he’s on Man City wages there’s no way we would pay that in the Championship.
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