Blues boss Kieran McKenna says the injuries suffered by Conor Townsend and Jaden Philogene don’t look great, while Leif Davis missed out due to a knock and Harry Clarke could be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, but keeper Aro Muric is making good progress.

Townsend hurt his knee in the first half of this afternoon’s game, while Philogene picked up his issue in the second. The former West Brom man walked to the coach with a brace on his left left using crutches, while the forward was visibly limping, although not wearing a boot or on crutches.

“It doesn’t look great,” McKenna admitted. “That’s obviously going to be a downside of today. Conor’s is his knee, so we’ll get it scanned.

“Jaden’s is a heavy knock on his ankle, so again we’re going to have to see how he is.

“That leaves us in a frustrating time and a trickier situation going into next week but you’re going to have challenges over the course of the year.

“We’ll see how the boys are and those who have stayed at home as well, and we’ll deal with the challenge head-on.”

On Davis, he added: “Leif’s got an injury, so unfortunate timing and we’re going to have to see how he responds.”

Regarding Clarke, who has missed the last two friendlies, he continued: “Harry picked up an injury, so he’s going to be out for quite a while, we’re not exactly sure how long yet. It will be assessed over the next few weeks and we’ll decide the best course of action from there.

“It’s in his knee tendon, so it’s a decision around what’s the best course of action. Honestly, that won’t be decided until we’ve seen how the next few weeks pan out and it settles down.”

It’s another blow for the right-back, who underwent a double plantaris removal at the end of 2023/24 and then had another plantaris surgery at the end of last season.

“Very tough, he came back in great condition in pre-season, I have to say, physically and mentally, importantly, really focused, really giving it everything,” McKenna reflected.

“So, it’s really frustrating for him and we’re disappointed for him. But, look, there’s no definite on the timescale yet, if it pans out well in the next couple of weeks, then he could be back in not on a really, really long timescale. In another course of action, it could be a little bit longer.

“Disappointed for him, disappointed to lose him. We’ve got some challenges in the full-back positions at the moment that we weren’t predicting but you’re going to come across over the course of the year, so we’re going to have to deal with some early ones.”

Meanwhile, McKenna says keeper Muric is making progress following his shoulder surgery in March, the Kosovo international having come on as a half-time sub at Colchester on Tuesday.

“He’s training well and he’s done well in the minutes in the minutes that he’s had. He did well when he came on against Charlton,” he said.

“Alex [Palmer] and Christian [Walton] have done the whole pre-season and are a little bit ahead of him fitness-wise and match fitness-wise, but he’s training well and getting stronger day by day, so he’s ready and fit should we need him and should the opportunities arise.”

Photo: Matchday Images

Portman_Pie added 20:42 - Aug 2 All the bad news is cushioned by the fact that Muric is coming back…. FML
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jas0999 added 20:49 - Aug 2 Could be disaster out, coupled with sales and a significant lack of new signings. Surely we won’t sell anyone else until reinforcements are signed. Permanent additions at that.
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Stato added 20:53 - Aug 2 I just hope we don't end up panic buying again and getting stuck with dead wood we can't shift. I know recruitment isn't easy but we are favorites for promotion and a Prem sized pay rise so surely we have a pretty decent story to tell.
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blueboy1981 added 20:54 - Aug 2 What did I say ? - squad will quickly look extremely thin ….. !!! - and this before a single minute of Championship Football !!
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Karlosfandangal added 20:55 - Aug 2 The signings will be here by the end of the window
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muccletonjoe added 21:03 - Aug 2 Injuries are a plague on this club, we haven't even started the season yet and we are 4 down , how many more we add to that in the coming weeks is really where our chances are. The likes of Barbrook and Humphreys will carry alot of our hopes whether supporters like it or not.
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Gforce added 21:05 - Aug 2 That's all we need,season not even started yet and we've already got 3 out injured.This seems to happen to us almost every year.
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Bluedocker added 21:13 - Aug 2 Get Brandon Williams back
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Bluedocker added 21:13 - Aug 2 Get Brandon Williams back
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BurleyJefferson added 21:17 - Aug 2 What is the position with Boniface as he does not seem to have featured in pre season ? Perhaps Ashley Young could revive his winger role.
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Ianseamark added 21:18 - Aug 2 Blue docker so good you said it twice lol
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SuperTabby added 21:20 - Aug 2 Not keen on selling Broadhead if Philogene is injured going into the season. Need to make sure we still have depth. If we don’t have Leif or Townsend for Friday at least Ashley Young looked good when he came on.
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Fat_Boy_Tim added 21:23 - Aug 2 Pathetic comments, nothing can be done about the injuries and as for the digs at Muric, it’s disgraceful. Muric is a blue, we haven’t even started the season and some tw@ts are booing him at Colchester and digging him out on here. We’ve just closed a deal for Cajuste apparently and we already have good options in almost every part of the pitch. I would have died to be in this situation (with the talent and young, hungry players) four or five years ago. Grow up, support all the players, however they play and be proper fans. If not sod off.

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Marinersnose added 21:25 - Aug 2 I’ll pose the question. We have a fitness coach who was previously with Arsenal and when he was with them their injuries mainly soft tissue injuries were sky high. Surely the club are aware of this ? I accept injuries occur but last season was horrendous for injuries and now we’re hearing of several injuries before the season has started. We have a few lightweight players who lack physicality but is it maybe down to what is or isn’t being done in strength and conditioning or training. I don’t know but I’m curious

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tetchris added 21:29 - Aug 2 Made worse by the lack of signings. Come on MA and the player recruitment team “where are ya”, “let’s be having you”
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Bluearmy_81 added 21:32 - Aug 2 Fat Tim, guess what, fans are allowed to have their own opinions and if they don’t match yours that’s not a green light to have a tantrum. If a fan thinks Muric is sh.it.e that’s their opinion and they’re entitled to it. Your toxic positivity verges on bullying. And you tell others to grow up!!?
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TimmyH added 21:42 - Aug 2 I wonder if Philogene will turn into a sicknote? (finished the season on crutches and starting this one out)...I said in the off season he needed to bulk up, he looks too waifish. Good result but makes you wonder if these sort of games are worth it if your going to pick up injuries.
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blueboy1981 added 21:47 - Aug 2 TimmyH …….. it gets tougher in the Grind ahead !!
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RobsonWark added 21:52 - Aug 2 We don't need Muric and we don't need matchstick legs Philogene. Personally, I hope he is out for the season. I don't rate him and don't know why Ashton paid £20m for him and gave him a contract of £40k per week. His miss today was embarrassing but he didn't seem to care.
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mutters added 21:58 - Aug 2 RobsonWark - WTAF. You hope one of our players is out for the season? What sort of supporter are you? You absolute b3ll 3nd
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runningout added 21:59 - Aug 2 those doubting our best keeper, yes Muric must let it. New season ahead
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WestSussexBlue added 22:03 - Aug 2 Bluedocker: Really?? Reasonable player at best who’s a long long way off being a fit and able Championship player.
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dirtydingusmagee added 22:08 - Aug 2 Oh Ffs.
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dirtydingusmagee added 22:13 - Aug 2 Blueboy I had to read your post 3 times ,cant believe it talk about hypocritical you always slag people off if they don't see things the way you do .
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RobsonWark added 22:20 - Aug 2 mutters yes I do. He is not good enough for our team. I want promotion. Do you?
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