Ipswich Town is facing a challenging situation ahead of their Premier League clash against Everton this Saturday.With several key players struggling with injuries, manager Kieran McKenna has been forced to make “late judgement calls” on his squad selection. Last weekend’s defeat to Newcastle United left Ipswich with just 13 fully fit outfield players, and McKenna will be hoping to get more players fit ahead of the Everton game.
With the long list of absentees, McKenna faces the difficult task of reshuffling his squad and potentially asking players to take on unfamiliar roles to fill the gaps. In his press conference, McKenna highlighted the current injury woes and the need for flexibility from his squad.
Injury Woes Continue for Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town’s injury crisis shows no signs of abating, with manager Kieran McKenna revealing a difficult situation for his team ahead of their trip to Goodison Park. Ipswich were already down to the bare minimum for their previous match at Newcastle United, and the injuries have continued to pile up.
The team was without several key players, including Aro Muric (shoulder), Axel Tuanzebe (hamstring), Leif Davis (suspended), Conor Townsend (hamstring), and Kalvin Phillips (Achilles), among others. On top of that, Jens Cajuste (knee) and Omari Hutchinson (hamstring) were fit but not deemed match-ready, making the manager’s job even more challenging. Ben Johnson, who was involved in a red-card incident against Newcastle, will also miss the Everton game due to suspension.
“We are in a difficult spot with injuries, and it’s going to be a lot of late decisions for this weekend’s game. We will have to assess who is fit to play and how we can adapt to the situation.” — Kieran McKenna
Despite the tough circumstances, McKenna is determined to make the best out of the situation, explaining how his team will need to adapt tactically and positionally.
Ipswich Town Injury Stats:
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Injured Players | 10 |
| Suspended Players | 1 |
| Available Senior Players | 13 |
| Players to be Assessed | Several (late fitness tests) |
McKenna’s Tactical Challenge: A New Approach for the Everton Game
When asked about the challenge of managing a squad with several injuries and suspensions, McKenna acknowledged that it’s a difficult situation, but one he has to work through. The Ipswich manager explained that despite not having his full squad available, he needs to find a way to continue pushing forward.
“We had to play four centre-backs in the backline last week, two of them at full-back,” McKenna said. “It’s not how I want to set up, but with the injuries, we have to be adaptable.”
Despite these setbacks, McKenna is optimistic about the squad’s resilience, and while the Everton match will be tough, he believes his players can still cause problems for the opposition.
Key Call-Outs:
- 13 fit outfield players available for selection
- Ipswich’s injury list includes 10 key players
- Late fitness tests and tactical changes expected
- McKenna's flexible approach will be key to finding a solution
What’s Next for Ipswich Town?
With Everton on the horizon, Ipswich will need to dig deep and rely on their adaptability. McKenna's tactical flexibility will be crucial, and he will hope to have enough fit players to put up a strong fight. The next few days will involve late fitness assessments to determine who can make the trip to Goodison Park, and who might be ready for the following match against Brentford.
Do you think Ipswich Town can manage to get a result against Everton despite their injury crisis? What are your thoughts on Kieran McKenna’s tactical approach? Let us know in the comments below!
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