Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna offered an injury update ahead of Middlesbrough’s visit
Ipswich Town will be without Wes Burns on Sunday(Image: Getty Images)
Kieran McKenna expects to have two key players back for the crucial promotion clash with Middlesbrough on Sunday – but winger Wes Burns remains out.
The two sides clash on Sunday at Portman Road in a game which is likely to have huge implications in the race for automatic promotion to the Premier League. Both sides are looking to bounce back from defeat to Portsmouth in their last games.
While Boro boss Kim Hellberg is needing to leave some decisions as late as possible as he sweats on the availability of some key men, McKenna had better news to share on Leif Davis and Azor Matusiwa, who both missed their midweek loss.
McKenna told EADT: “Leif has been training with us the last few days [after the birth of his child]. He’s a little bit more tired as most new fathers are. This last little period for him [missing three games through suspension before returning for the East Anglian derby] has been tricky, no doubt about it.
“He’s obviously a really important player for us. Tuesday night is what it is. It was the right thing for him to be there to support and to go through that together. Obviously, it was a brilliant moment for them.
“We’re delighted to have him back in the squad now for Sunday. He hasn’t had as many minutes over the last six weeks as what you’d want, but on the other hand he should be nice and fresh and we’ve got lots of games coming up.”
On Matusiwa, meanwhile, who’s missed the Tractor Boys’ last two, McKenna said: “He’s in a better place now than he was a week ago. He’ll hopefully be available for the squad.”
While Ipswich should be boosted by the return of two key players, they won’t have double promotion hero Burns back for the game.
“He’s had a little setback in his recovery,” the Northern Irish head coach revealed. “It’s not anything major, he’s not too far away, but that last little hurdle is tricky. He won’t make it to training with the group tomorrow, which kind of rules him out for Sunday. We’ll see how he is again come Monday.”
As well as Burns, Ipswich are also without long-term absentees Ashley Young, Conor Townsend and David Button for the game.
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