“We are in a really difficult spot”- McKenna speaks on Ipswich Town’s injury issue ahead of Newcastle trip
Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna says his squad is in a difficult spot with a number of players unavailable for the trip to Newcastle United on Saturday (3pm).
The Blues boss was missing nine of his men on Sunday at Portman Road as his side lost 4-0 to Arsenal.
This included Omari Hutchinson, Kalvin Phillips, Conor Townsend, Jaden Philogene, Aro Muric, Sammie Szmodics, and Nathan Broadhead, with both Wes Burns and Chiedozie Ogbene long-term absentees.
Liam Delap has only made cameo displays in the last two matches due to a rib injury.
McKenna said: “We’re in a challenging spot in terms of availability, to be honest.
“I’m not going to go through every single one because I’ll probably be naming the fit players that we have left for Newcastle, but we’re in a really difficult spot in terms of availability.
“We’re working really hard to get a team and a squad together that can go there and be as competitive as we can be.
“We’re still going to be waiting on a few right until tomorrow and we’ll try and make the right decisions and hopefully we’ll have enough to be competitive.”
The Blues boss confirmed that Townsend, Phillips and Broadhead were among those definitely unavailable, while a late decision is to be made on Delap.
Leif Davis has joined the unavailability list too. The left-back is starting a three-game ban for his straight red card against the Gunners for his rash challenge on Bukayo Saka in the 32nd minute.
With both Davis and Townsend missing, it means McKenna has to decide who to play at left-back.
Jacob Greaves has featured in the position in spells at his former club Hull, but McKenna could look to 19-year-old Somto Boniface, a January signing from Chelsea’s academy, who is yet to make his senior debut.
“You always want to give those opportunities when they’re there and when they’re earned, so it was nice, in one way, to have Somto on the bench last weekend,” said McKenna.
“You don’t want to see any of the senior players miss out though and it’s still important to respect the fact that every Premier League appearance is important to this group of players.
“It would be unfair or inappropriate, I think, to give out appearances without them having been earned.
“But Somto’s a very good young player. Of course, he’s not been with us at the football club for too long, but he’s made a really good impression.
“He’s fitted into that group well, has done well in training, so you’re happy to give those opportunities when they arise.”