Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna hopeful of having Sammie Szmodics and Sindre Walle Egeli available for Championship fixture at Middlesbrough

Kieran McKenna is hopeful that Sammie Szmodics and Sindre Walle Egeli will both be available to feature in Ipswich Town’s next ‘block of games’ – including tomorrow’s trip to Middlesbrough.

The attacking duo recently withdrew from international duty, with Republic of Ireland frontman Szmodics suffering with another ankle complaint, while Norwegian youngster Egeli has had a similar problem.

However, McKenna has suggested that the pair will be available for upcoming fixtures.

On Szmodics, the Town boss said: “It’s his ankle again. Hopefully it has recovered well. He needed a course of injections after the Norwich game to hopefully ease the symptoms that he’s been feeling over the weeks.

“He needed some time off his feet, some time away from the group training and some treatment. He’s had a course of injections in there and that seems to have worked pretty well.

“Hopefully, the time he’s had off his feet and to rest and get what he needed will put him in better stead, and he’ll be ready for the block of games ahead.”

And on Egeli, he added: “It’s similar but different, but similar in terms of an injury picked up in the Bristol City game.

“He had really heavy swelling after the Norwich game around his ankle area from the existing injury. It sort of exacerbated it in the game, so he needed last week off his feet.

“He got some treatment and didn’t do any training. He joined in with the group again this week and is feeling better with it, so hopefully he’ll be involved now in this block of games.”

Friday’s clash at The Riverside Stadium will see Ipswich come up against a side with the best defensive so far in the Championship, with the Teesiders having only conceded six goals.

And as a result, McKenna is expecting a tough night.

“Certainly a very good team, a strong home record, solid and strong in all phases of the game,” he said.

“At home, they’ve been getting really good results, giving away very few chances and have been really stable.

“Good players, a good balance of a team that has played together for a few years, but also with some good additions this summer, and a really good manager as well.

“We know we’re going to face a strong opponent, but it’s an exciting game. It’s a type of challenge to look forward to and it’s coming around quickly.

“Friday nights away from home after international duty are tough, but at the same time it dials everyone in straight away and it’s something to really look forward to going and tackling.”