Ipswich Town head coach Kieran McKenna has confirmed that striker George Hirst is set to miss “a few weeks” after sustaining an injury during last weekend’s impressive win over Sheffield Wednesday. The news comes as a slight dampener on an otherwise positive afternoon for the Tractor Boys, who continued their strong league form with a commanding performance at Portman Road.
Hirst, who has become an increasingly important figure in McKenna’s attacking setup, was forced off during the contest after appearing to pick up a muscular issue. While the initial scenes raised concern among supporters, McKenna moved to clarify the situation in his post-match media duties, offering reassurance that the injury is not expected to sideline the forward for an extended period.
Speaking ahead of Town’s upcoming fixtures, McKenna explained: “George is likely to be out for a few weeks. It’s not something we expect to be long-term, but it’s enough to rule him out of the next run of games. We’ll assess him week by week and make sure he’s fully right before bringing him back.”
The timing of the setback is unfortunate for both player and club. Hirst has worked his way into the side through consistent performances, offering physicality, pressing intensity and intelligent link-up play at the top end of the pitch. While his goal return does not always grab headlines, his contribution off the ball has been a key component of Ipswich’s high-energy approach under McKenna.
The former Leicester City boss has repeatedly highlighted the importance of squad depth, and Hirst’s absence will test that philosophy as the busy festive schedule continues. With matches coming thick and fast, rotation and adaptability will be essential if Ipswich are to maintain momentum in their push up the table.
Fortunately for Town, McKenna has options at his disposal. Freddie Ladapo, Dane Scarlett and other attacking players are capable of stepping in, while tactical tweaks could also be employed to share the workload across the front line. McKenna has never been afraid to adjust his system based on personnel, and this latest challenge will likely see that flexibility put to use once again.
The Sheffield Wednesday victory itself showcased Ipswich’s growing maturity, with the side controlling large periods of the game and responding well to moments of pressure. Losing Hirst slightly takes the shine off that result, but the overall mood around the club remains positive, with performances continuing to match ambition.
From Hirst’s perspective, the focus will now be on recovery and rehabilitation. At 25, he has shown resilience throughout his career, and the medical staff will be keen to ensure there is no risk of recurrence by rushing him back too soon. McKenna stressed the importance of patience, adding that the club will prioritise the player’s long-term fitness over any short-term gain.
As Ipswich look ahead to their next fixtures, the message from the manager is clear: setbacks are part of the season, but belief in the squad remains unwavering. If Town can navigate this brief period without Hirst effectively, it may yet strengthen their collective resolve — and ensure the striker returns refreshed and ready to make an impact when it matters most.
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