“I only focused on who will be here next season”- Kieran McKenna gives 38-words verdict on ‘unreliable’ star who wants Out
McKenna Explains Enciso Omission and Provides Update on Illness-Hit Squad After West Ham Defeat
Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has clarified the absence of forward Julio Enciso from the squad that faced West Ham United, stating that the decision was made with both the club’s long-term plans and the player’s international commitments in mind. The Blues suffered a 3-1 home defeat, but McKenna revealed post-match that his selection was influenced by strategic planning for next season and the impact of illness within the squad.
Enciso, on loan from Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion since January, was a notable absentee from the 20-man matchday squad. McKenna confirmed that the Paraguayan forward was not injured but was intentionally left out as part of a focus on players who are expected to remain at Portman Road beyond the current campaign.
“Ben [Johnson] was ill, but with Julio it was a conscious decision made earlier in the week,” McKenna explained. “We chose to go with the group of players who are going to be part of the club’s future — either those under contract or players we’re looking to build around going forward. Julio has given everything since he arrived, and we’ve appreciated his contribution, but we also have to think ahead.”
Enciso has made a positive impact during his short spell with Ipswich, registering two goals in 12 starts and one substitute appearance. However, with Paraguay preparing for crucial FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures against South American giants Uruguay and Brazil, McKenna acknowledged the importance of allowing the 20-year-old forward some breathing space to recover from a minor niggle and focus on international duties.
“He’s got a couple of big games coming up for Paraguay, and with a small injury concern as well, we felt it was the right time to give him a few days to recuperate and prepare,” McKenna added. “He’s been a great professional, and we wish him well with his national team.”
Meanwhile, defender Ben Johnson and goalkeeper Alex Palmer were among several Ipswich players hit by a recent wave of illness that has affected the squad over the past fortnight. Johnson, who joined Ipswich last summer after leaving West Ham, was unavailable due to sickness. Palmer, on the other hand, was set to start but had to be withdrawn during the warm-up after being suddenly struck by a vomiting bug.
“I never like to lean too much on illness as an excuse, but it’s been a real issue for us recently,” McKenna admitted. “We’ve had several players struggling with a stomach bug — it’s been circulating through the squad over the last couple of weeks. Unfortunately, it hit Alex [Palmer] hard around 2:30pm today, and we had to make a late change. Christian Walton came in and did well under the circumstances.”
Despite the illness setbacks, midfielder Jens Cajuste — on loan from Italian side Napoli — did feature in the match. Cajuste has been one of Ipswich’s standout performers this season, finishing narrowly behind Liam Delap in the vote for the Supporters Club’s Player of the Year. His consistent displays have raised questions about whether he could return to Portman Road next season.
Asked about Cajuste’s potential return, McKenna was cautiously optimistic. “I’ve addressed this before — of course we’d love to have Jens back,” he said. “He’s had a fantastic season and brought a lot to the team. But realistically, there’s a lot that would need to happen for that to become a reality. We’ll just have to see how things unfold in the next few weeks.”
As Ipswich look to regroup and prepare for their final fixtures, McKenna remains focused on finishing the season strong while also laying the groundwork for a successful campaign next year.
