Ipswich Town: Nathan Broadhead, Harry Clarke and George Hirst closing in on returns to action following injuries

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has given a positive update on his injured players, revealing Nathan Broadhead and Harry Clarke are closing in on returns as well as outlining when fans can see striker George Hirst on the pitch.

Wide forward Broadhead, who was the club’s joint top scorer with Conor Chaplin with 13 goals in the Championship last season, had his pre-season cut shot by a hamstring injury ahead of the Blues’ first training camp in Austria in mid July.

With surgery not required, the 26-year-old Wales international was said to be ruled out for ‘a couple of months’.

But speaking at his pre-Fulham press conference at Playford Road today, McKenna revealed he is progressing well for a return, along with full-back Clarke, who is recovering from summer surgery on bith of his Achilles tendons (double plantaris removal).

“No new injuries from Man City, Wimbledon or training this week,” he said.

“Nathan Broadhead is close to a return with the group and Harry Clarke is now outside doing some work.”

Striker Hirst, who underwent knee surgery ahead of the start of the season and was believed to be out for around six weeks or so, could be back available ahead of the next international break that begins following the trip to West Ham United on October 5.

“George Hirst has progressed well and we hope to see him in the next round of fixtures, before the international break in October,” he said.

It comes as McKenna also confirmed the deal to bring Armanado Broja in on loan from Chelsea is still ongoing ahead of tonight’s summer transfer window shutting (11pm), with The Athletic having led reports yesterday that it was off due to the medical report on the Albanian international’s Achilles problem.

McKenna has said it would have to be ‘right for all parties’ but also revealed if a 13th summer signing did not get done to boost his strker options, with Middlesbrough’s Emmanuel Latte Lath having also been linked today, he would be content.

“I’m happy with where we’re at,” he said, “we have tried to strengthen in the striker position but if we don’t manage to, then we have George Hirst coming back from injury and we have three forwards that can all have an impact at this level.”

Liam Delap, who Town have paid a reported initial £15 million fee to bring over from Manchester City, has spearheaded the attack in the Blues’ opening two Premier League games with Ali Al-Hamadi, who signed from League Two AFC Wimbledon in January, coming off the bench in both.

Freddie Ladapo, who was out on loan in League One at Charlton Athletic last season, is the other option though has not any of the three squads so far this season.

He would look a likely departure from Portman Road should a 13th summer signing be completed, if late interest materialises.