Ipswich town Archives - Page 11 of 14

I had something important with Rashford at United – Villa must do the same

Kieran McKenna(Image: Getty Images)

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna knows all about Marcus Rashford having worked up close with the Aston Villa loanee during the pair’s time together at Manchester United – and he is of the belief that the forward, who remains a ‘big talent’, has moved to a ‘good club to work under a ‘top manager’ in Unai Emery.

Rashford has joined Villa from United on loan for the remainder of the season having been cleared to leave Old Trafford by manager Ruben Amorim; indeed it wouldn’t appear as though Rashford has any long-term future at the club under the Portuguese boss. Villa moved to offer him regular football and a crack at the Champions League.

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The Red Devils academy product worked with McKenna, who brings his side to Villa Park on Saturday and reunites with – and is looking to blunt the abilities of – Rashford, who scored against Ipswich at Portman Road for United in Amorim’s first game in charge in November.

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Having build up a strong bond with Rashford, McKenna believes that he must do so again at Villa having lost his way under the new regime at United – if that occurs, the Lions will benefit from his undoubted talent.

“Yes, he was enjoyable to work with, of course, a big talent,” McKenna said. “I had known him for a little bit longer because he’d come through the academy set up and I joined the academy set up just after he’d progressed to the first team but we faced him in the FA Youth Cup.

“I was close with the academy coaches who worked with him so it was pretty easy for me to build a good relationship and a good trust with him and he’s not so much of a young player anymore but he was when I worked on that. Most young players, building that trust and that rapport is important.

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“We managed to have that and he’s a big talent so hopefully this will be a good move for him in terms of getting back into form and playing regularly which I’m sure he’ll want to do and I’m sure he had some different options and has made his judgement on the right criteria.

“He certainly went to a good club to play under a top manager whose team are still in a lot of competitions. So yes, I hope it goes well for him but of course not on Saturday.”

February 14, 2025

Nottingham Forest ‘absolute farce’ message sent as cup date provokes response

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Nottingham Forest fans have hit out at the scheduling of their FA Cup fifth round tie with Ipswich Town.

The Reds survived a scare in midweek to set up a home clash with the Tractor Boys. The date and time for the match at the City Ground have now been confirmed, but plenty of supporters are not happy.The game will take place on Monday, March 3, with a 7.30pm kick-off. The tie will be shown live on ITV4. Forest say they will confirm ticket details at a later date.

The Monday night scheduling comes after Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, and an army of travelling fans, travelled to Exeter City in the fourth round on Tuesday night. The match included a lengthy stoppage for an injury to Taiwo Awoniyi and went to extra-time and penalties.Premier League title race: Liverpool top standings at start of 2024

It was past 2am when the team got back to base after flying back from Devon, while it was an even later return to Nottingham for many supporters. The prospect of another evening kick-off provoked a strong response on social media.

One fan said on X: “The FA Cup matches are the only ones I can realistically get tickets for me and my son (aged 9 and on a junior membership) to watch Forest together without the luck of the ballot. We live 2 hours away, so no chance I can take him to a Monday night fixture.”

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February 14, 2025

Delap: I Knew I Could Score in the Premier League – Ipswich Town News

Delap: I Knew I Could Score in the Premier League
Friday, 14th Feb 2025 06:00 by Kallum Brisset

Town striker Liam Delap says he always had the confidence and belief he could score goals in the Premier League following his move to Portman Road last summer.

Delap became the Blues’ fourth signing of the summer when he arrived from reigning champions Manchester City for an initial £15 million in July having spent last season on loan at Championship side Hull City.

The frontman had only previously made two substitute appearances in the Premier League prior to this season, but has taken to the level with nine goals and two assists in his 23 matches so far this campaign.

But despite his impressive scoring record so far, Delap was keen to appreciate his teammates and manager Kieran McKenna for their impact on his success so far in Suffolk.

“It’s gone really positively for me,” he said. “At the start of the season, I knew I had confidence and belief that I could score and it’s credit to the manager and the boys for helping me improve day in, day out in training.

“Getting there [to nine goals] is obviously an individual stat but without the team behind me I wouldn’t have been able to do it.

“The quality was there and I had the belief that I knew I could perform. The boys and the manager to show their belief in me has also helped.

“I knew coming here was going to be a good place and I’ve probably been pleasantly surprised with how happy I am here and how much I’m enjoying it.

“The gaffer spoke and said it’s up to me depending on the performance that you put in. We’ve got George [Hirst] and had Ali [Al-Hamadi] who are two good strikers so it’s always good to have competition. As long as I’m doing well then hopefully I can keep playing.”

While a youngster in the Man City academy, Delap had three loan spells away from the Etihad Stadium to gain experience in the Championship with varying levels of success.

Prior to his move to Hull last term, he had temporary switches to Stoke City and Preston North End that yielded just four goals but says he did not have any timescale in mind for making the step up to becoming a regular Premier League starter.

“I don’t know about this year,” he said. “I’ve always had the belief in myself to perform and under the right platform I think anyone with quality can go through.

“It’s just a credit to everyone here and everyone that’s helped me get my performances to the best that they can be.

“I knew when I was younger the importance of going and playing regular men’s football is vital. Everyone has a different journey but mine taught me so much.

“The first two [loans] didn’t go as planned but I probably learned more in those two than I did when things were going well. It’s a great experience for a young player, it builds your maturity and understanding of the game.

“I don’t think I’ve changed, I’ve probably improved, developed a lot and matured. But also I’ve learned a lot from the manager at Hull [Liam Rosenior] and the manager here. I’ve probably become more consistent, I’m trying to help and do what is best for the team.”

Delap has earned a reputation for his physicality, with the Town striker often seen charging into defenders and making his presence known to the opposition.

He said: “The environment here is very intense and all the boys buy into that. The gaffer made it clear to me when I came here that training every day is top level and everyone competes. It’s not just me, everyone competes every day in training and sometimes it can get feisty.

“When I was younger it probably went over the top too much and it’s something that I’ve tried to help and learn from as I got in trouble a lot when I was younger. Now I’m starting to understand what’s right and what’s wrong and what’s too much and what’s not.”

Asked what aspects of his game he feels he can still improve on, Delap said: “The boss is so detailed on the out of possession side of things. Before I came here, I had a concept of it but I probably wasn’t as aware as he wanted me to be. That’s something he and all the staff have helped me with throughout the season, I feel like I’m starting to improve that.

“[Headed goals are] definitely think it’s something I need to work on depending on how many balls are getting put in the box.”

Delap only turned 22 last Saturday and was asked about his idols growing up, with two names in particular standing out.

“It was always Cristiano [Ronaldo],” he said. “When I was young, I idolised him as a little boy and growing up I was all focused on him. Now in recent years you’re looking at Harry Kane, what he has done is incredible.

“I’ve always had in my mind that I love scoring goals and love the feeling of scoring goals, so for me to be anything other than a striker was not the one.”

Born in Winchester while his dad Rory was playing for Southampton, it would be fair to say Delap is well travelled, something he claims has been a beneficial experience in allowing him to settle into a new environment wherever he goes.

He said: “It probably helped me when it did get to the point where I was going out on my own as I’ve lived in a lot of different places.

“It probably helped me for when I’m older and moving on my own, I don’t feel unsettled or unwelcome because it is really important. If you’re not happy and you’re so used to somewhere it can make you unhappy. I’m fine with that and always have been okay with moving about.”

On the Portman Road crowd, he added: “It’s incredible. The feeling around the town and everyone involved with the club is such a special feeling.

“I’m unfortunate to only get it this season but the boys have spoken about the last few seasons as well. That feeling, the noise and the atmosphere is just incredible.”

Delap’s fine form during the first half of the season led to speculation regarding his future in January, with Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus among a host of clubs touted as potential destinations for the striker.

It always seemed likely Delap would stay at Portman Road, with the Town man brushing aside talk of an exit and instead focusing on his own performances at the Blues.

“It’s something that I try and stay away from and people around me have tried to say just stay away from it,” he said.

“That’s something I’m very good at, just focusing on what I’ve got to go and what I want to do and that’s playing football here. I’m really enjoying me time here and I enjoy playing every week so that’s the most important thing.

“Everyone’s helpful but I don’t really tend to look at stuff like that, I just focus on what I’m doing here.

“It’s ingrained within us as footballers. It’s so important for me to focus on where I’m at now. I’m so happy here, I’m enjoying it so much here and I just look forward to playing football. I take every game as it comes and just focus on the next.

“We know as players and people that there is noise. If we have a bad game and people are slating us for not performing or getting the right results, we stay focused on ourselves and focused on what we have to achieve.”

Delap’s form has also opened the door to potential international honours, with the England U21 international spoken about widely as a candidate for the senior side.

New boss Thomas Tuchel is set to name his first Three Lions squad next month with Kane and Ollie Watkins set to be two strikers on the list but a potential third is up for grabs.

Delap said: “You always think about that and always have dreams and goals. Looking ahead, that is a dream of mine to play for my country.

“I’m just trying to focus on my performances and that’s for them to decide. If it doesn’t come I can keep my head down and keep working hard, but if it does come then it’s a real proud moment. All I can do now is keep performing and putting in the performances.

“There’s top players in the Premier League so to be in and around that is a good feeling. I’m just focusing on each game and trying to get higher up.”

TWTD

Ange Postecoglou makes first team decision ahead of Man Utd and Ipswich Town

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Spurs have a rare week without midweek action after back-to-back cup defeats.

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has decided to give first team players ‘three or four’ days off ahead of clashes with Manchester United and Ipswich Town, despite a recent rotten run of form for the north London outfit.

Spurs were dumped out of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup in just a few days last week following defeats to Liverpool and Aston Villa. Postecoglou’s side have won just two of their last eight top flight outings and languish 14th in the top flight. Spurs will look to bounce back against Manchester United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday before making the trip to struggling Ipswich Town next weekend.

Despite the unconvincing performances against Liverpool and Aston Villa, Postecoglou has confirmed that first team stars will be given days away from training after a hectic fixture schedule. The club has been hit with an injury crisis this season, meaning that fully fit players have racked up the minutes and needed to work double time.

Postecoglou gives Spurs stars days off

Tottenham Hotspur don’t have a midweek game since the turn of the year and Postecoglou confirmed that players would be allowed to recover as a result. He said: “I am just going to keep working like I have. We’ve got to give them some time off in the early part of the week.

“The boys who are coming back we have got an opportunity to give them a full week of training which is great. Come Tuesday, we should have three or four who have been missing. We can give them a full week of training rather than just throwing them in.

“By the time we get to the end of the week we will have something resembling a squad of players to prepare for a big game. That folds into the following week because again we have got seven days to prepare for the next game.

“That gives us a good opportunity to get some work into the guys who have been out for a while and give some rest of the guys who have been going at it. By the time we get back to Europe and midweek games, we will be in much better shape.”

Tottenham Hotspur hope for injury boost against Man Utd

Following that time to recover, Tottenham Hotspur are expected to welcome back several injured players for the meeting with Manchester United. A total of five first team stars could return to face the Red Devils.

Guglielmo Vicario, Destiny Udogie, James Maddison, Brennan Johnson and Timo Werner are all pushing for a return to full training this week and Postecoglou is confident that will provide a ‘reset’ for his beleaguered side.

Speaking after defeat to Aston Villa, Postecoglou said: “Two and a half months of asking 18-year-olds and 17-year-olds and senior players, with no rest, to play Thursday, Sunday, Thursday, Sunday, Thursday, Sunday, Thursday, Sunday.

“If you think that is not at all a factor of how this team is performing then there’s nothing else I can say. There’s nothing else I can explain.”

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February 14, 2025

Aston Villa Team News vs Ipswich Town: Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa

Just a couple of new Aston Villa team news updates for you, ahead of the visit from Ipswich Town. However, they are very substantial (to say the least) injury updates: Ollie Watkins and Ezri Konsa.

Ollie Watkins missed out on the weekend win over Spurs due to a groin injury, and here is the most recent update that Villa boss Unai Emery provided.

Aston Villa vs Ipswich Town

Kickoff: 3pm, Sat. Feb 15, Villa Park, Birmingham, UK

Aston Villa Team News

“Each day is important, how he is feeling, but for Sunday, I think he is not going to be available,” Emery said.

“Tomorrow, I think he is not going to train as well, because he will need more days to recover. Hopefully, for next week, he will be available.”

You can put him in the “doubt” category.

aston-villa

And then with Konsa, arguably the team’s best defender, he had to be subbed off with an apparent muscular injury in the FA Cup win over Tottenham.

Emery said only this, a few days ago: “For Konsa, hopefully it is not a big [muscle] injury…”

And then of course, you still have the regular standing injury absentees: Ross Barkley, Pau Torres, Matty Cash and Tyrone Mings.

unai emery

So with that in mind, let’s just get to the lineup prediction, and we’ll do that in the next post.

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February 14, 2025

Liam Delap Surprised At How Happy He Has Been With Life At Ipswich Town

Liam Delap, the man Kieran McKenna says has become “different beast” this season, admits he still has a lot to learn if he is to become England’s next top-class striker.

The striker, who turned 22 last week, was signed by the newly-promoted Suffolk side from champions Manchester City for close to $25 million. Barely six months into a five-year contract, Delap has been the shining light of Ipswich Town’s season with nine Premier League goals.

With Ipswich mired in the relegation places, speculation has been mounting that Delap will move on, whether or not his team stay up this season. Extravagant transfer fees of up to nine figures are being quoted for the striker who is being tipped to eventually succeed current national team captain and record goalscorer Harry Kane as England’s next number nine.

For now, Delap looks like a man at ease in his surroundings, a guaranteed starter in the Premier League after two seasons of being sent out on loan from Manchester City. “I knew that coming here, it was going to be a good place and I’ve probably been pleasantly surprised at how happy I am here and how much I am enjoying it.”

Delap has nothing but praise for McKenna, describing him as “incredible”. “How he is with us as players and how he manages us and helps us learn every day, the detail that he goes into is top notch. You can see that everyone’s improving game by game and I think that’s credit to him.”

Amid reported interest in his services from European giants like Chelsea, Juventus and Manchester United, Delap is only concerned with the areas of the game he has to improve on. “The boss is so detailed on the out of possession side of things. Probably before I came here I had a concept of it but I wasn’t aware as he wanted me to be. It’s something he’s helped me with, and all the staff have helped me with throughout the season. I feel like I’m starting to improve that.”

Incredibly for such a robust center forward, only one of Liam Delap’s 21 senior goals have come from his head. He admits to me “I definitely think that’s something I need to work on, depending on how many balls you have put in the box. Obviously it’s something I need to improve on.”His Ipswich Town team-mates have been almost unanimous in their regard of the softly-spoken Delap as the joker in the squad. Strike partner Omari Hutchinson said “he’s a real funny guy, he’s got a lot of character about him.” Delap blushed at the description saying “I don’t know, I think we have a good laugh here so yeah, I’d say we’ve got a really funny group.”

He was more forthcoming about the fact that he has enjoyed mixing it against some of the world’s best defenders, relishing the challenge and unafraid to confront opposition players physically. He admits that aggressive side to his game is something he has had to channel.

Manchester United’s Noussair Mazraoui (right) [+] reacts to Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap (left) after a challenge during the Premier League match at Portman Road, Ipswich. Picture date: Sunday November 24, 2024. (Photo by Bradley Collyer/PA Images via Getty Images) PA IMAGES VIA GETTY IMAGES

“Probably when I was younger, it went over the top, too much. It’s something that I’ve tried to help and learn from because I probably got in trouble. Now I’m starting to understand what’s right and what’s wrong and what’s too much.”

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With Ipswich Town travelling to face Aston Villa this weekend, Delap will come face to face with Morgan Rogers, his former team-mate at Manchester City who has similarly flourished away from the club, also finding the net nine times this season. Both players scored in the reverse fixture at Portman Road in September.

Delap revealed that the pair had first met aged 15, eventually sharing a house. “He’s probably one of my closest friends. I love him to bits. I’m so happy for him this season, I think he’s always had that quality. It’s probably just someone letting him unleash it.”

Having moved to Suffolk, Delap has moved in with another former Manchester City team-mate, now sharing a house with goalkeeper Cieran Slicker. “We go back as well. We have an incredible relationship. A really good thing that I’ve come here and he’s here as well. He’s helped me so much to settle. It’s something that probably really helps and keeps me happy. It’s always nice having a friend. He’s helped me so much.”

Delap spent the entirety of last season on loan at Championship side Hull City, scoring eight times after less successful loans to Stoke City and Preston North End. He said “I knew when I was younger that the importance of playing regular men’s football is vitally important. I think everyone has a different journey but for me that taught me so much.”

“Probably the first two didn’t go as planned but I learned more in those two than I did when things were going well. It’s just a great experience for a young player. It builds your maturity and understanding of the game.”

February 14, 2025

Aston Villa vs Ipswich Town injury news: eight ruled out three doubtful for Premier League clash

My ugh ç ambitions, and Ipswich’s survival hopes in a dismal weekend for the Tractor Boys which saw them fall to a costly 2-1 loss against basement side Southampton.

The Villans will hope to be back to their best against Ipswich this weekend and could hand debuts to loanees Marcus Rashford and Marcos Asensio. Meanwhile, Jaden Philogene, whose return to Emery’s team was short-lived, will have a huge point to prove on his return to Villa Park.

However, both managers also have their fair share of injury issues to deal with this weekend. Ahead of kick-off, we take a look at the injury situation of both teams.

Ipswich Town injury news
Ipswich Town are without long-term absentees Wesley Burns and Chiedozie Ogbene until the end of the season. Christian Walton is out until April with a groin problem while Conor Chaplin is still yet to return to training after picking up a knee injury.

Marquee summer signing Sammie Szmodics has struggled with an ankle injury in recent weeks and faces a late fitness test ahead of the trip to Villa Park. Kieran McKenna explained: “I don’t know if it’s a recurrence, but it’s the same ankle, so the chances are it’s probably linked. That’s a big blow, no doubt about it. We’ll keep our fingers crossed.”

Aston Villa injury news
Ross Barkley, who has missed the last five matches with a calf injury, is due to return to full training this week but is unlikely to be ready to start on Saturday. Key defender Ezri Konsa was withdrawn before the 30 minute mark against Spurs after beating the ground in frustration after picking up an injury. He is still being assessed along with experienced centre-back partner Tyrone Mings, who picked up a small knee injury in January.

Polish international wing-back Matty Cash, meanwhile, was sidelined for “three to four weeks”, in Emery’s words, by an unknown muscle injury at the end of January. He is expected to miss the upcoming games against Ipswich and Liverpool.

Spanish international Pau Torres, who was a stalwart last term, remains on the sidelines as he continues his rehab from an ankle injury. Early March remains the nearest possible return date for the 28-year-old.

Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins suffered a groin injury during the recent 2-0 league defeat to Wolves and it appears that he is still feeling the effects. The England international didn’t train last week, according to Emery, and it is not yet clear when he will be back on the turf at Bodymoor Heath. He is ac doubt heading into the game against Ipswich, with both Donyell Malen and Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio being potential alternatives in the number nine role.
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February 13, 2025

Tide may be turning for Jack Clarke at Ipswich Town as former Sunderland star receives glowing review

Since leaving Sunderland in the summer transfer window, Jack Clarke has had a pretty tough time at Ipswich Town. But his fortunes may be changing ever so steadily.

Sunderland finally parted ways with Jack Clarke last summer, after a couple of transfer windows of fending off bids for the former Leeds United and Spurs winger.

In the end, Ipswich Town paid £18million to sign Clarke from the Black Cats. Since then however, it’s been a pretty bleak time for the 24-year-old at Portman Road.

In the Premier League this season, Clarke has played 19 times without scoring, grabbing just two assists. There’s since been a lot of talk about the transfer to Ipswich with former Sunderland man Phil Bardsley critical of Clarke’s move.

Nonetheless, Ipswich still have big hopes and plans for the Englishman. Then in the FA Cup last weekend, Clarke scored a couple of goals for Ipswich Town, netting a brace in the 4-1 win away at Coventry City.

Jack Clarke of Ipswich Town participates in the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town at the City Ground in Nottingham, E…

Former Sunderland star Jack Clarke hailed at Ipswich Town

After scoring those goals against Coventry, a weight will have been lifted off of Clarke. Now, it’ll give Kieran McKenna a decision to make ahead of Ipswich Town’s upcoming Premier league clash against Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.

Speaking to BBC Radio Suffolk, pundit and former Ipswich man Paul Anderson has backed Clarke to feature against Villa from the off. He said: “As attacking players, goals are always that confidence builder, but forget about the goals. If he wouldn’t have scored [against Coventry] he still would have been the difference between the teams.

“With his football intelligence and the positions he was picking up on the pitch, he caused real problems to the Coventry defence. When he got the ball he tended to make the right decision most of the time.

“With a performance like that, he would hope to have put his name on the team sheet against Aston Villa.”

As things stand, Ipswich Town sit in 19th place of the Premier League table and are already 12 points adrift, with just three wins all season and now 14 games left to play.

What Jack Clarke has said about his Ipswich Town form

Clarke scored his first goal for Ipswich Town in the previous FA Cup win over Bristol Rovers. Then after the game, Clarke spoke about his recent form and stated that he hoped his goal would give him some momentum, which it has.

The former Sunderland star said: “That one felt nice and hopefully I can give myself a bit of momentum going into the next few games. I never try and think about it [poor form] too much. As long as you’re doing the right things day in, day out, your luck is going to turn at some point.”

Now, Clarke needs consistency. And he needs to get on the scoresheet in the Premier League and prove to fans that he can cut it in the top flight, not just in the FA Cup against weaker opponents.

Villa is another tricky game for the Tractor Boys. But like Anderson says, Clarke could get his chance on Saturday after impressing against Coventry, and if he takes his chance then it could spark a run of starts for the winger.

February 13, 2025

Ipswich Town: Kieran McKenna on Kalvin Phillips’ season so far

Kalvin Phillips has only started 10 Premier League games during his loan spell from Manchester City.

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna believes Kalvin Phillips ‘can have a really big impact’ in the remaining games of the season.

The 31-cap England international joined the Blues on a season-long loan from Manchester City last summer looking to rebuild confidence and fitness.

Since serving a three-game suspension back in November, however, he’s started just four Premier League games.

“Of his 10 (league) starts, I don’t know, he’s been unavailable for maybe six or seven, possibly, with the suspension and with the niggle and ankle injury that he had,” said McKenna, speaking ahead of Saturday’s game at Aston Villa.

“There’s good competition in midfield. I think Jens Cajuste has been excellent when he’s played and has stepped up and delivered a really, really high level of performance. Samy (Morsy), of course, is the captain but also has been consistent with his performances as well.

“I think Kalvin’s played a good amount of games. I don’t know the exact numbers but 10 starts is considerably more league starts than what he’s made in the last two seasons.

“I think he’s improving and, of course, we all want things to accelerate really, really quickly. He’s in a much better rhythm now than he was when he arrived and hopefully that’ll continue and he can have a really big impact on the last bit of the season.

“Kalvin has shown good qualities and is hungry to help the team. We feel that he can have a good impact and a good part to play in the next few months.”

February 13, 2025

McKenna provides mixed injury news on Szmodics and Chaplin

Sammie Szmodics could feature in Town’s game at Aston Villa this weekend.

Sammie Szmodics could feature in Town’s game at Aston Villa this weekend. (Image: PA)

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has revealed that Sammie Szmodics could be fit for Saturday’s Premier League match at Aston Villa.

The four-goal forward limped off 35 minutes into last weekend’s 4-1 FA Cup win at Coventry after suffering a recurrence of the ankle problem that had sidelined him for the previous five matches.

“Thankfully, the ankle injury that he had a recurrence of last week hasn’t been too serious, so he’s going to be a judgment call tomorrow,” said McKenna.

Meanwhile, the Blues boss said that forward Conor Chaplin, who has been sidelined for the whole of 2025, remains out of action.

“He’s had a few little setbacks,” said McKenna. “With an MCL injury you can get that. You can get to the very, very last bit of your rehab, but there’s a few actions or a few movements that can sometimes still stir it up.

“He’s had a slightly different course of treatment this week to see if that can accelerate it a little bit because he’s not quite been able to meet that last hurdle. Fingers crossed he’ll be back with the group next week.”

On whether deadline signing Alex Palmer will make his league debut in goal for the Blues, McKenna said: “Yes, it’s a possibility. He gives us the type of options that we want. We’ll pick what we think is right for each game.”

Christian Walton (groin), Wes Burns (knee) and Chiedozie Ogbene (Achilles) remain long-term absentees.