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Ipswich Town: Winger Chiedozie Ogbene ‘unlikely’ to play football this season and McKenna addresses Manchester United’s managerial appointment of Rúben Amorim




Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has said a winger is ‘unlikely’ to play football again this season while an attacker is poised to return ahead of tomorrow’s Leicester City clash at Portman Road.

Summer signing Chiedozie Ogbene may miss the rest of the season after tearing his Achilles on Saturday in the 4-3 defeat to Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Harry Clarke is suspended following his sending off against the Bees but Omari Hutchinson will be welcomed back after missing out on the trip to London due to illness.

Chiedozie Ogbene may not feature again for Town this season. Picture: Barry Goodwin
Chiedozie Ogbene may not feature again for Town this season. Picture: Barry Goodwin

At today’s pre-match press conference, Blues boss Kieran McKenna said: “Chieo had a surgery yesterday, it was an Achilles tear.

“The surgery went well, he’s a really positive guy. He’s in good spirits but of course, with that type of injury, it means that it’ll be unlikely he’ll play any or much football this season.

“A lot of it now will be preparing for next season and anything beyond that would be a bonus.”

Omari Hutchinson returns tomorrow after missing the action last weekend due to illness. Picture: Barry Goodwin
Omari Hutchinson returns tomorrow after missing the action last weekend due to illness. Picture: Barry Goodwin

Right-back Johnson has returned to training after a thigh problem, which is welcome news for McKenna as Axel Tuanzebe (hand injury) and Clarke are unavailable.

“Ben trained a little bit today as well and did some set plays yesterday, so again we’ve got a judgement call to make with that one,” he said.

“He’s been out for quite a while, limited training. It’s going to be an intense game, but also he’s in a position where we need support at the moment.

“So, we’re going to make that call later on chatting to those players, who have had the session.”

Captain Sam Morsy was back on the grass this morning after the Egyptian picked up a hamstring injury in the Everton match which kept him out of the Brentford trip.

McKenna said: “He’s trained today, so we have to make a judgement. He’s missed since the Everton game really.

“He’s done one session, so he should be available for the squad, but in terms of minutes, we’ll have to make the judgement call with him and that conversation will be later on today.”

McKenna praised Swedish midfielder Cajuste who replaced Morsy against the Bees having not long returned to training following a knee problem.

He said: “Jens has come through okay. A fantastic effort from him, I have to say, great pride in how he performed but more so how he pushed his body more than that in the circumstances would have been ideal.

“Big, big credit to him, shows his commitment to the cause, showed his quality as well and hopefully he can stay fit now and if he can we think he’ll be a really important player for us.”

Dara O'Shea is also set to play despite recently playing with a back issue.

Jack Taylor and Jacob Greaves (both hamstring) are expected back after the international break.

In other news in the Premier League, Manchester United have appointed Ruben Amorim as their new manager, following the sacking of Erik ten Hag earlier this week, with the Portuguese’s first game set to come away at Ipswich Town on Sunday, November 24.

“It’s certainly going to add more external intrigue to that game,” McKenna said.

“For us it was a massive game anyway. Manchester United coming to Portman Road was always going to be a huge game and one to look forward to.

“Now they’re going to be led by a new manager so that’s going to add more interest to it and I wish him all the best.

“It’s a club I have an affinity with and I always want to see them do well but hopefully not on the game coming up and I’m sure he will be a good addition to the league.”

In the league this season, Town have failed to win their opening nine league games which is a club record from the start of a top-flight campaign.

It is five short of their longest such streak in any division, set in the Championship under Red Devils legend Roy Keane in 2009/10.

Meanwhile, Leicester and Manchester City are the only sides to have scored in all nine of their Premier League matches this season.

However, the Foxes sit 15th in the league table with two wins from nine matches, leaving them five points ahead of McKenna’s men.

Manager Steve Cooper is set to serve a one-match touchline ban after accumulating three yellow cards.

A Town legend and a passionate ‘superfan’ are to be recognised in the club’s remembrance fixture tomorrow following the death of Trevor Whymark and Tom Tomalin respectively.

There will be a one-minute silence and Trevor will be mentioned as part of it.