Town boss Kieran McKenna says forward Omari Hutchinson felt that he “couldn’t contribute” for the Blues in their Carabao Cup tie at Bromley with the 21-year-old having made his desire to return to the Premier League clear.

Both Brentford and Nottingham Forest have made £35 million offers for the England U21 international which have been rebuffed. The Blues are believed to be targeting £40 million for the ex-Chelsea man.

Hutchinson suffered a throat infection last week which meant he wasn’t involved at Birmingham on Friday, but McKenna confirmed his absence today wasn’t related to the illness, although Nathan Broadhead, who is being targeted by Wrexham, did report in unwell.

“No, he trained on Monday OK and then didn’t feel that he could contribute today with the situation as it is,” McKenna said of Hutchinson.

“That was his decision and Nathan reported sick this morning, which on the day of the game is not ideal.”

Asked whether he is disappointed in Hutchinson, McKenna said: “He’s made [clear] his desire to continue to play Premier League football if the opportunity is there.

“I think it’s known how much care we have for Omari and empathy we have with him, he’s a young player, 21, it’s not an easy situation to handle.

“There are different ways to handle the situation but I think that seems to be more prevalent in modern football and players get advice from different directions and he’s a very, very young player.

“We have empathy with him, we’ll try and guide him in the right way in terms of how to deal with situations, but, of course, as long as he’s at the football club, we want him able to contribute and help the team on the pitch.”

McKenna says the situation hasn’t changed regarding the offers for the one-time Arsenal youngster.

“There hasn’t been anything that has changed the club’s position yet,” he added. “It’s known that Omari had a buyout clause in his contract, which was active for a few months.

“There was no serious or appropriate offers in that time, so once that position’s closed, then it’s the club’s position to make the decision as they see fit.

“There hasn’t been any sort of interest or offers to change that position so far, so we’ll see what the next few weeks bring.”

McKenna says it’s more complicated than just telling Hutchinson he’s staying as he is in contract until the summer of 2029.

“Situations are never as simple as that and, of course, the club has their position, the player has their position, but it’s never as straightforward and especially when you’re dealing with a young player here,” he continued.

“I don’t think there’s too much more to say on it, we have our position as a club. My position I’ve communicated with Omari around the situation and, of course, he’s communicated his and we’ll see what the next few weeks bring.”

Ideally McKenna says he’d love to have Hutchinson at the club for the season ahead: “I think that’s clear and obvious.”

Photo: Matchday Images

jazzback added 05:27 - Aug 13 Although he has made it clear he wants to go, he needs to hand in a transfer request, there by the club are then not obliged to pay any contractual bonuses and payments owed to him. Accept an offer of £35m + add ons, and percentage of next sale. But back not surprised Chelsea didn't put a buy back clause in when they sold him, they were glad to get rid off
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Bluemike31 added 05:45 - Aug 13 Good riddance now im afraid, so much for a close knit squad, clearly doesn't care too much about his teammates
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BurleysGloryDays added 06:00 - Aug 13 There are different styles of leadership guys, and frankly between Ashton and KMK we have the best of both worlds. Let them fix it. We need brilliant players to come here and a brilliant reputation for handling players. Those angry about this have the right instincts, but the wrong application of emotions to it. Carry on KMK, good luck! And come on Omari. Get your head back on being the pro you have been to date.

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churchmans added 06:00 - Aug 13 So a contract means phuckall then? Hopefully the club will stay strong and take 40mill! If they dont get it hen the very,very youmg mind will have to buckle up and get on with hounoring his contract and get on with playing! Clubs need to take back control from the agents
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JewellintheTown added 06:16 - Aug 13 I'm getting all of the points on here, & agree with many, but as a father of a 22 year old lad I can say that 21 isn't what it used to be anymore. You get a very different variety of youngsters than when we were 21,&we thought we were different than we probably really were. There's much about ego, mental health, being told things that when I was a kid we were just expected to get on with & toughen up. Not the same now. Add £thousands a week wage, fancy lifestyle, mix with celebs, see your mates having even more & that exaggerated, distorted world shapes your perspective & personality more extreme. Omari is clearly going through mental challenges & KM & the team are clearly knowing the full situation & handling it with experts. This isn't as simple as "get rid". He's clearly a talent, we clearly think he's worth more, it's not simple to replace his style & what he brings. Man management isn't like it was in the days of Sir Alex Ferguson & kicking boots at people or telling them to "man up", it has to be played differently. He's no different being what we think is a "drama queen with no loyalty" to what some fans are acting like to him. How quick some of you turn, want to "get rid" & "move him on" just because he wants a better lifestyle. Who's loyal to who now? Ashton & KM aren't "soft" with him & aren't going to get rid of him on a whim like some of you imatients want to moan about & think in simple terms how easy it is to manage & run a club & people, but in reality know nothing. This leadership & team got us to where we are because they know what they're doing. None of us do. We've become as fickle and spoilt as a player that isn't feeling they can contribute. Ashton/KM have both players & now offended fans to deal with. They could have made some BS up but clearly wanted fans to give Hutch support, not more agro. Players are people first, not computer generates characters. KM & Ashton got a team of average nobodies from L1 to the Prem by understanding how people are managed. Give them the same respect now that got us there & Omari that was there at critical times to get us there too. Fan support works both ways. That goes for all the players. Rant over.

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bluewarrior added 06:30 - Aug 13 Some of what is written above is a load of tosh and shows a remarkable lack of understanding. I admire the clubs position and KM articulates it well. He’s a town player, we have our valuation and a buying club must put up or shut up. Simple. What’s the alternative? Allow one of the little darlings to move on under their terms every time they throw their toys out of the pram - which I imagine is quite often in this entitled world we all now have to live in. Hutch and his agent were happy to take his new extended contract when it suited them and a contract is a contract with obligations to and from both parties. From Hutch’s point of view, of course he wants to play in the Prem and his greasy money motivated agent will be right in his ear no doubt telling him how important it is to his burgeoning career - and no doubt his bank balance. KM is handling it well because in the event that he stays then he needs to manage the player and that means having a relationship. He’s showing empathy to what is a young and inexperienced and no doubt easily manipulated asset whilst supporting the admirable position of the club. Further he’s not bull sh****g the fans with hogwash about fake injuries etc like certain other clubs do. Personally I’d say to Hutch - and for all we know it might be exactly what we are saying - give us one more year - if we don’t go up you can go and if we do then we can have a discussion because by that time everything could look very different. Obviously if a club meets our valuation in the meantime then that’s another matter. My impression is that if the deal doesn’t happen then Hutch is the type who’ll get his head down and get on with it. Broady the same - albeit I suspect that one is a matter of waiting on another new player coming in as he’s clearly not central to KM’s plans. As far an any disruption to the camp is concerned, I think this is sending a really clear message that this ownership doesn’t roll over for anyone because it’s quite clear in the business side of the game these days that if you blink then your f****d.

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poet added 06:38 - Aug 13 bluewarrior some very valid points there.
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Fermi_Parradox added 06:52 - Aug 13 We should only accept £50M in cash up front. Hutchinson can train on his own away from the squad until the end of the window. If he doesn't go, what is he going to do? He has to play well or his career is over. The club are in charge here. Don't get pushed around by a spoilt brat and a greedy agent.
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Gazelle added 06:59 - Aug 13 Only 21, people were flying Lancaster bombers at that age. Needs a good kicking.
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tractorboybig added 06:59 - Aug 13 get rid of the brat
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delias_cheesy_flaps added 07:00 - Aug 13 Football Contracts are a law unto themselves, completely at odds with the norm, which really pi$$e$ fans off when $hit like this goes down! As frustrating as this is to us fans and no doubt KM/MA, ITFC have to suck it up and sell the turncoat for a profit, and reinvest in players who want to be here!
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thatsbonkers added 07:03 - Aug 13 Let’s not be too clever here the player wants out, that ain’t changing. We want a big fee £35 million plus. Take an offer and move him on before his suitors move on to new targets.
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bricor2011 added 07:27 - Aug 13 I always did think Hutchinson had a bit of an attitude and a chip on his shoulder, I wasn't wrong.
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leftie1972 added 07:31 - Aug 13 WOW! But not in a good way.Entitled is the word that springs to mind. If you don’t play you don’t get paid. Simple in my opinion.
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Countryboyblue added 07:36 - Aug 13 Another example of an entitled young man. Knowing what the club has done for Omari, how the fans have loved him, and he treat us like this. He needs to put his agent to one side, and start to value the opportunity he was given, and continue to be given. Not playing for the club that nurtured and cared for him like Ipswich has is simply very poor behaviour and as I say entitled! His attitude just shows his new potential employers what they’ll be dealing with when things don’t go to plan. Get him out asap, remove the issue and move on. In time Omari look back at this experience and surely regret it, although he can’t see now. I feel for Kieran and Mark Ashton, they must feel a little bit hurt by this, but I’m afraid this is the crazy world we live in.

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Bazza8564 added 07:42 - Aug 13 Bye! Get him out, this is not the way to behave
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Steelmonkey added 07:43 - Aug 13 Poor little darling. Okay I always thought that he’d use the club as a stepping stone but you’d think he would have the dignity to work for his wages. Yes Szmodics did the same to Blackburn and I can’t honestly say I’ve been that impressed by him yet. He had that injury which disrupted his season but I think a lot depends upon the playmaker in a team as to how other players perform and I don’t think we have one at this moment and he’s been missing the past couple of seasons. We’ve bought proven goal scorers who suddenly don’t perform when they get here, what should that be telling those that search out the talent for this club.

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dirtydingusmagee added 07:45 - Aug 13 Herons to zero, take the 35 and kick his a#se up the road
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dirtydingusmagee added 07:47 - Aug 13 Herons to zero ,bloody predictive text grrrrr
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Dissboyitfc added 07:48 - Aug 13 Age is not an excuse for lacking moral fibre, he is an immature adult! I think he has thrown himself under the bus, no way do i see in this universe or any other parallel the majority of fans forgiving him should he stay! His behaviour is not acceptable and very disappointing we gave him his big opportunity, he also needs reminding that like the rest of the squad he wasnt great last season!

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Dissboyitfc added 07:48 - Aug 13 Age is not an excuse for lacking moral fibre, he is an immature adult! I think he has thrown himself under the bus, no way do i see in this universe or any other parallel the majority of fans forgiving him should he stay! His behaviour is not acceptable and very disappointing we gave him his big opportunity, he also needs reminding that like the rest of the squad he wasnt great last season!

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Bluewhiteboy added 07:49 - Aug 13 Szmodics did same at Blackburn? Get your facts right. He played their early games in the season even scoring for them 3 times! Bad comparison as i would say sammie played it brilliantly and respectively. Can't blame players for wanting to play at top flight (especially if bigger club more money etc) but szmodics did the right thing by still playing.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 08:11 - Aug 13 Omari is clearly an immature young man living in a world of pressures and expectations that most (all?) of us on here have never experienced. It's very easy to say f* off, dock his wages, etc., and I must say, I have some sympathy with those views, but that would just lead to a standoff and not be the most productive. Mck and Ashton are clearly taking an intelligent, empathetic approach, which I think will eventually lead to the best result for both parties. Omari still has a lot to prove - both on the pitch and as a adult human being.

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blueboy1981 added 08:13 - Aug 13 Just get on and do your job McK that you are lucratively paid to do - at the moment wholesale evidence that you’ve lost the plot … !! Stick fast depleting … !!
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SickParrot added 08:16 - Aug 13 Of course he's not going to risk jeopardising the transfer he wants by getting a bad injury. We should take the £35 million now and spend it wisely before the end of the window. It's obvious that we urgently need more quality and drive in the team so hangìng on for another £5 million that we can't spend until January would be a false economy.
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