Ipswich Town boss McKenna on duo’s availability and midfielder’s absence against Norwich

Ipswich Town boss McKenna on duo’s availability and midfielder’s absence against Norwich

Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna says Wes Burns could come back into contention for the Championship clash with Portsmouth on Tuesday.

Burns has missed the last three league games but McKenna says he will be assessed ahead of Tuesday’s game at Fratton Park.

“We don’t know yet, it’s day by day,” he said on Burns’ availability.

“It’s not a major setback, but he had a bit of a setback in the build-up to Birmingham, so we’ll have to assess him over the weekend and on Monday.”

Ashley Young is also available should he needed to be called upon, McKenna says.

“He’s training well, still modifying his training a little bit,” McKenna explained. “He’s there and if we need him to step up, I’m pretty sure he’ll put his hand up and he’ll be ready to play.

“The other boys are playing well, the backline is in a good spot, so we don’t need to force anything at the moment, but he’s really contributing in the group and if we need him to step up in this last run-in, I’m certain that he will do.”

McKenna also confirmed that Jens Cajuste was left out of the derby win over Norwich City not because of an injury.

“It was difficult, because of the options we had on the bench we felt like we had the midfield pretty well covered and we wanted to be stocked with forwards in case we needed a goal, which is what we like to do, especially when you get to the end of the season and you want to have your weapons on the pitch,” he said.

“I spoke about Jens plenty the other day and he was outstanding again today with the group here, so he’ll be training well on Monday again, I’m sure, and I’m pretty sure with the way the fixtures are coming, we’re going to need everyone to step up.

“You look at it with Ben Johnson, a prime example for all the other boys there, the way he’s stepped up now and they’re ready to do the same.”