Ipswich Town have suffered a massive blow ahead of this weekend’s clash with Plymouth Argyle.
Wes Burns and Nathan Broadhead won’t be travelling to Home Park, the team has informed on Twitter.
With three starts apiece in those four league wins, the Tractor Boys have won their last four games in a row (all data via Fbref).
With 11 goals from 30 games, including 24 starts, Broadhead is tied for the club’s highest goal scorer in the Championship this year.
Burns has also scored five goals on the other side, and both players have contributed two assists apiece.
Injury blow to Ipswich Town
Prior to the game on Saturday, McKenna verified that Burns and Broadhead would not be playing due to injuries to their muscles.
The manager, who has used both on either wing fairly often this campaign, will be devastated by this.
As reported by the East Anglian Daily Times, McKenna stated, “Wes and Nathan are unavailable this weekend.”
They are mild sprains of the muscles.
“It seems highly improbable that they will be prepared for Tuesday’s home match against Bristol City.”
We’ll have to wait and see what happens on the Saturday after [against Cardiff City].
Tim Sherwood has made his decision on the Championship’s fight for automatic promotion.
Their absence might also hinder the club’s promotion push, since the competition for the top two spots has been intensifying lately.
Ipswich is hoping that Burns and Broadhead won’t be out of action for too long because they want to take advantage of any mistakes Leeds United might make.
Although a timetable for their possible comeback has not yet been provided, a muscle strain might simply be a temporary injury for the two.
The Tractor Boys should be able to pitch their typical formation without having to push players too far out of position because Ipswich also has Jeremy Sarmiento and Omari Hutchinson to call upon to play in their stead.
Ipswich Town league position
| Championship Table (As it stands February 29th) | ||||
| Team | P | GD | Pts | |
| 1 | Leicester City | 34 | 41 | 78 |
| 2 | Leeds United | 34 | 37 | 72 |
| 3 | Ipswich Town | 34 | 23 | 72 |
| 4 | Southampton | 34 | 23 | 67 |
| 5 | West Brom | 34 | 17 | 56 |
| 6 | Hull City | 34 | 7 | 55 |
| 7 | Norwich City | 34 | 8 | 52 |
| 8 | Preston North End | 34 | -5 | 52 |
The Suffolk team is now tied for third position with Leeds in the Championship standings.
The Whites have an advantage because of their better goal differential, but 12 games remain to determine who will receive the second automatic promotion spot.
With only six points separating them from league leaders Leicester City, the Foxes may also be challenged in the remaining months of the season.
The game between Ipswich and Plymouth takes place on March 2 at Home Park, starting at 3 p.m.
An evaluation of McKenna’s leadership
Although Ipswich can change the starting lineup with players with depth, this will shorten the bench’s shelf life.
Given how well he has used replacements this season, McKenna’s in-game management will be put to the test.
Any worries about this matter will be greatly allayed by an early goal against Plymouth, but considering Ian Foster’s team’s current form, a journey to Home Park will not be simple.
McKenna will be hopeful that both players can return quickly because their chances of being promoted could be seriously harmed by any absences at this point in the season.
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