Ipswich Town sweating over injury concerns ahead of Sheffield United fixture
Ipswich Town are currently experiencing some injury concerns in their attacking department.
Ipswich Town look set to be without attacker Chuba Akpom when they face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday afternoon while they could also be sweating over the availability of star man Jaden Philogene.
Akpom, who has scored three goals in three previous appearances against the Blades, was absent from the Tractor Boys’ matchday squad for their 3-0 win over Blackburn Rovers on Saturday because of a groin issue.
Although he has failed to set the Championship alight since returning to England last summer, scoring just two goals so far this season, he has been a regular fixture in Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna’s matchday plans since arriving on loan from Ajax, racking up 21 appearances in league and cup.
Akpom, who plundered each of his three career goals against the Blades in Middlesbrough colours during the 2022/23 season, was on the scoresheet for Ipswich when they beat Oxford United 2-1 on New Year’s Day - an occasion that marked his first start since December 2.
However, Tractor Boys chief McKenna has played down the likelihood of the former Arsenal youngster being available for Tuesday night’s clash with Bristol City at Portman Road and Saturday’s trip to Bramall Lane.
McKenna issues injury updates on Ipswich attackers
As quoted by the East Anglian Daily Times, McKenna said: "Chuba felt his groin during the week so that's had a scan and he won't be available for the next couple, probably.”
However, the bigger concern for Ipswich is that they are waiting to discover the extent of how long Philogene could be potentially sidelined for. The winger, who scored a hat-trick against the Blades at Portman Road back in September, helping them seal a 5-0 win that eventually spelt the end of Rubén Sellés’ short stint in charge as Blades boss, was forced off shortly before half-time in Saturday’s win over Blackburn with a knee issue.
Speaking after the game, McKenna was unable to offer any sort of clarity on how serious it could potentially be, saying: "He's felt his knee so we'll have to see how it is. I'm sure it'll be a scan. It's too early to say (how long he'll be out)."
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Meanwhile, there is a chance fellow winger Kasey McAteer could return for the trip to South Yorkshire after he missed the win over Blackburn with an issue of his own.
"Kasey was just some muscle tightness, not too serious,” McKenna added. “He wasn't available today and we'll have to make an assessment going into next week."