McKenna: Credit to Burns For Fantastic Return
Thursday, 22nd Jan 2026 16:57

Town boss Kieran McKenna says winger Wes Burns has returned from his ACL injury in a fantastic way.

The Wales international suffered the serious injury at Liverpool in January and made his first-team return as a sub in the Boxing Day draw at Millwall.

He scored in the 2-0 win at Coventry a few days later, again having come off the bench, then started the FA Cup victory over Blackpool, then made his first Championship start in Tuesday’s 2-0 win against Bristol City, the club where he began his career.

“A great effort, from Wes first and foremost and right to acknowledge the staff that he’s worked with here to come back in such good condition,” McKenna said.

“He has been training with the group for a good few months now, so we have done it really gradually and I think the progression in has been good. But I still think the other night was a big step forward in terms of the intensity that he put into the game.

“We know Wes with his sprints, his challenges, his aerials is so, so important and Tuesday was him really, really going at 100 per cent and he came out of it really, really strong and he gave us all the things that we know he can give us, and it was a big, big positive.

“You still have to take it carefully, you have to go step-by-step with it and we’ll make the right judgements in terms of how it looks for the weekend and in the periods we have coming up when games are coming in quick succession.

“We’ll try and still keep in mind the fact that he has had a serious injury but he’s come back in a fantastic way. Big credit to him and a it’s big boost to the group.”

Photo: Matchday Images

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Linkboy13 added 17:39 - Jan 22

Thought when he first came back he looked a yard short of pace but against Bristol city he looked sharper. Sometimes when you have been out injured long term you lose a yard of pace and never get it back especially later on in your career. Burns is a player that never lacks in confidence. I think Mcateer is the opposite he needs a goal or a couple of assists before we see the best of him.

armchaircritic59 added 17:59 - Jan 22

Linkboy, he's done really well since returning, still not right up to scratch I'd say, but getting ever nearer. As for Kasey, well posters who bother to read my output, will know I've been banging the drum for him for some time. He's made just 8 starts since he's been here, it's nothing. He's way quicker than SWE and a good bit quicker than Wes. He should already have 4/5 assists, unfortunately the " strikers " have let him down and he carries the can. You are right however, a goal or someone actually getting on the end of something will give him a huge lift. Then we will have two proper wide right players and another who can play there, but is really more of a 9/10.

terryf added 18:31 - Jan 22

Would love to see McAteer justify his price tag but feel most of us are still waiting! He never seems to get his crosses past the first defender.

The judge of a good winger is his ability to hit the line when he can and then make sure his crosses or pull backs find a man, so for me Wes is the man!

As for Walli Egeli he is still making the adjustment to English football and will no doubt come good next season.

Judging by our performance in the Bristol City match the Team overall looks in good shape to me.

armchaircritic59 added 18:57 - Jan 22

terryf, totally agree about hitting the line as often as possible. Wes has played nearly 140 games for us, he knows the system and what KM wants, backwards. Kasey McAteer has started 8 games. Vast difference. We could have two cracking widemen on both sides, in their different ways, if we can find out a way to utilise KM's raw pace. Over to those who's job it is to do it.

bluesissy added 19:06 - Jan 22 You have got to love wes...model professional. Its like having a new signing and he will get better as his fitness gets up to speed.
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flykickingbybgunn added 19:15 - Jan 22 I remember Burley getting injured. When he came back many months later he was nowhere near the same player. Well done Wes and the physio team for getting him hitting the ground running.
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FreddySteady added 20:03 - Jan 22 Have to admit, I didn’t think Wes would be able to come back anywhere near his previous level but it appears he’s going to be as good as ever which is testament to him as a person and our medical staff. Happy to eat humble pie.
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IP9 added 21:47 - Jan 22 This is Wes 2.0, a better version, both in person and in athlete. Can't wait to see him for the rest of the season, a true meaning of "feels like a new signing"
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