Kieran McKenna issues worrying Ipswich Town update ahead of Birmingham City | OneFootball

The Tractor Boys have four injury concerns heading into their season opener against Birmingham City this week.

Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has revealed that he has as many as four “worrying” injury concerns heading into their 2025-26 curtain-raiser with Birmingham City.

The Tractor Boys rounded off preparations for the upcoming second-tier term with a 3-0 victory over French side Auxerre, but despite the impressive performance and result, there are some lingering issues with fitness in the playing squad.

Ipswich are gearing up to target immediate promotion back to the top-flight this campaign, with the Suffolk outfit being able to keep hold of the majority of the squad that suffered relegation from the Premier League.

But now, Ipswich are at risk of starting the season with a lack of depth ahead of their trip to St Andrew’s, who are in a feel-good factor following their resounding promotion from League One and having significant financial resources to spend under Tom Wagner.

This will be a concern that the Tractor Boys may not start the season on a positive note, with McKenna outlining his thoughts on the players’ current situations.

Kieran McKenna reveals multiple injury issues in Ipswich Town camp

As reported by Suffolk News, Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna provided a worrying update on the injury front following their convincing 3-0 friendly victory over Auxerre.

Full-back Conor Townsend limped off with a knee complaint in the first half against their French opponents, while Jaden Philogene suffered an ankle problem shortly after the beginning of the second half.

And McKenna admitted that both were doubts heading into their opener in the West Midlands.

McKenna said: "It doesn't look great. That's obviously going to be a downside of today.

"Conor is his knee. We'll get it scanned. Jaden, a heavy knock on his ankle. We're going to have to see how he is.

"That leaves us in a frustrating time and a trickier situation going into next week, but you're going to have challenges over the course of the year.

"We'll see how the boys are - those who have stayed at home as well - and we'll deal with the challenge head-on."

Meanwhile, Leif Davis missed the trip due to a knock and Harry Clarke was also unavailable, with McKenna suggesting the latter was going to be out for an extended period of time.

McKenna added: “Leif’s got an injury, so unfortunate timing, and we’re going to have to see how he responds.

“Harry picked up an injury, so he’s going to be out for quite a while. We’re not exactly sure how long yet. It will be assessed over the next few weeks, and we’ll decide the best course of action from there.

“It’s in his knee tendon, so it’s a decision around what’s the best course of action. Honestly, that won’t be decided until we’ve seen how the next few weeks pan out, and it settles down.”

Ipswich Town will be concerned with latest injury setbacks

There’s no doubt that this injury explosion has come at the worst possible time for Ipswich, with the club sweating over a number of players’ fitness with just a few days remaining until they kick off their campaign against Birmingham City.

The Tractor Boys may not have a recognised left-back option come Friday evening, leaving Kieran McKenna with some thinking to do over what system he will elect to play for their Championship return.

It’s far from ideal timing given the opposition they’re playing too, with Birmingham set to be buoyed up by their own return to the second-tier, with the club and city entering such an optimistic and exciting period under their American ownership.