Town boss Kieran McKenna has no new injuries aside from keeper Alex Palmer, who will be out for several weeks with the torn calf he suffered in the first half against Charlton on Tuesday.

The Blues manager says that while it’s frustrating to lose Palmer, who misses his first Championship game of the campaign against his old club, he has every faith in Christian Walton, who will be starting his first second-tier game for the Blues and his first at the level since July 2020 during his time on loan with Blackburn Rovers.

Walton’s only Championship appearance for Town came as a late sub in the final game of the promotion season against Huddersfield.

“You never want to lose your goalkeeper who has been playing and I think he’s been getting better as the season’s gone on as well, so, of course, you don’t want to lose him,” McKenna said.

“But it’s why you have a strong goalkeeping unit. Christian Walton has been here a good amount of time now, who we have a lot of faith in, who has always performed to a good level whenever he’s had his opportunities, and David Button as well, who has come in as another experienced goalkeeper to support that unit.

“We’re disappointed to lose Alex, we’re glad the unit is as strong as it is. Christian is now coming in for his first Championship start for us, which I didn’t register at all, so he’ll start the game tomorrow and we’ve got every faith in him.

“And Alex will recover as quickly as he can and then we’ll be back to having a really strong three-goalkeeper unit again.”

McKenna says he has no new injury issues and that Wes Burns, who suffered an ACL injury at Liverpool in January, continues to make progress.
“No,”

“Still not full contact training,” he added. “But training pretty consistently with the group, mostly in non-contact situations, but starting to integrate around a few bits, so that’s moving really well.”

Photo: IMAGO/Pro Sports Images via Reuters Connect

chorltonskylineblue added 15:27 - Oct 24 Let's not forget that Walton made 83 Championship appearances before he joined us, which isn't a lot less than Palmer has made.
3

Cookieboy added 15:39 - Oct 24 Why can't we recall Slicker.
0

Marcus added 15:39 - Oct 24 Hopefully Walton will be sharper. It wasn't good watching the defence hesitate with Walton without the protection of Matusiwa. There are limits to match sharpness from the training field and reserve games.
2

SamWhiteUK added 16:15 - Oct 24 "Why can't we recall Slicker?" In what world does it make any difference? He'd never start over Walton.
2

Cookieboy added 16:26 - Oct 24 Samwhite uk. Just back up instead of Gray !!!
0

ChrisFelix added 16:27 - Oct 24 I have always rated Christian. He was the league 1 golden glove winner & only lost his championship place do to injury
2

OliveR16 added 16:42 - Oct 24 I'm far more confident in Walton (or Button) than in whichever two CBs are in front of him.
3

budgieplucker added 08:21 - Oct 25 A reasonable back up, but less instinctive than Palmer,, and slower reactions.
0

Blogs 297 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls