Ipswich Town: McKenna gives update on defender Axel Tuanzebe with no new player concerns ahead of Nottingham Forest clash

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has provided an update on a key defender with no new injury concerns ahead of facing Nottingham Forest at Portman Road tomorrow (3pm).

The Blues currently sit 18th in the Premier League table and come up against a high-flying Forest side who sit third ahead of the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea.

During last week’s 1-0 loss at Crystal Palace, Town players Kalvin Phillips, Julio Enciso and Omari Hutchinson all made their returns from injuries.

Blues boss McKenna said the trio came through the game fine and there are also no new issues in the squad.

Defender Axel Tuanzebe has undergone surgery again after coming close to losing the use of his thumb permanently in an incident washing dishes in October.

The former Manchester United man additionally suffered a hamstring injury in the FA Cup tie at Nottingham Forest earlier this month.

"Axel has had a pretty big surgery on his thumb and it's a pretty big recovery process that he's in,” said McKenna.

“It's an incredible injury that he's been through to be honest. He's had a few days in hospital and is back in the building now and starting to work on his conditioning.

“The timeframe for recovery is undetermined at the minute. Hopefully it's a matter of weeks rather than months.

“We'll see him after the international break, exactly which game, we're not sure yet."

McKenna confirmed Sammie Szmodics had ankle surgery and Conor Chaplin is not training with the group yet.

He said: “Chaplin had to take a slightly different course of treatment, but will hopefully be back after the international break.”

McKenna said there should be no concerns regarding Jens Cajuste, who was left out of the Sweden squad, with the midfielder having spoken with manager Jon Dahl Tomasson regarding being left out to focus on being in good shape for his club.

“It’s not been a club involvement, I think Jens has had a conversation with the national team manager there and he’s not going with the national team this time,” McKenna said.

“It’s not a club demand on medical grounds, it’s known we manage him and he’s managed himself really well through the year, but he’s in a great position now with his physical condition and we haven’t got too many concerns there.

“He’s not going with Sweden this time, so from our point of view it’s a good chance for him to get some rest and recovery and hopefully be ready for the run-in.”

On goalkeeper Aro Muric, the Blues boss said. “He’s had the injection on a problem in his shoulder that he’s been managing over the last good period of time.

“He’s not trained yet, I think he’s going to start some work tomorrow with the goalkeeper coaches, hopefully he’ll be available to go away with Kosovo if he can get through the one or two bits over the next two days.

“It will be good to go away and get some game time.”

Both Wes Burns (knee) and Chiedozie Ogbene (Achilles) remain long-term absentees.