Ipswich Town’s former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe has hand surgery after freak injury washing dishes

Ipswich Town defender Axel Tuanzebe is set to be unavailable for at least a month following undergoing surgery for a freak hand injury which occurred while doing washing up dishes.

The Suffolk club have confirmed to SuffolkNews that the 26-year-old DR Congo international suffered the accident which involved a glass breaking while at home during the middle of last week.

There were concerns the former Manchester United player could have suffered lasting damage from the incident, such as losing his thumb. But he underwent what was successful surgery soon after, the club confirmed.

Tuanzebe had been an ever-present starter for Kieran McKenna’s Blues since promotion to the Premier League ahead being forced out of the squad for the trip to West Ham United.

Following the game, which Town lost 4-1 for their third Premier League defeat in seven games, having drawn the previous four, Mckenna told journalists: “He’s going to be out a little while, so we’re going to have to adjust and regroup as a team.

“He’s done a hand injury, a very unfortunate accident. He’s had a surgery and he’ll be out for a while.

“To be honest, we don’t know (precisely how long), it’s not going to be a couple of weeks, it’s probably going to be longer but we’re still in discussion with the specialist about what’s the quickest return.”

A club spokesman told SuffolkNews Tuanzebe was still with the group at training during the international break but is carrying out ‘not-contact activities’ after being advised to be extra careful while it heals.

He confirmed the shattered glass ‘almost went into the tendon’.

The nature of the injury was first revealed by the Daily Mail earlier today.

Ben Johnson, a summer signing from West Ham, came in for Tuanzebe at right-back on Saturday with Town fans now speculating as to weather McKenna will continue with that approach or switch to a back three. The latter could see homegrown talent Luke Woolfenden, who has not featured in the last four Premier League games, having started the first three, come back into the team.