Home   Ipswich   Sport   Article

Subscribe Now

Ipswich Town: Kieran McKenna gives injuries update including Harry Clarke and Christian Walton ahead of QPR clash




Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has given an update on his squad ahead of this weekend’s clash against QPR.

The Blues boss confirmed right-back Harry Clarke would be available for selection for Saturday’s away trip as his side hope to make it three wins out of three in the Championship this season.

Speaking on Town TV at lunchtime, McKenna said Clarke still has his achilles problem but will be in contention for the game at Loftus Road.

Kieran McKenna confirmed right-back Harry Clarke would be available for selection for this weekend’s fixture versus QPR. Picture: Ady Kerry
Kieran McKenna confirmed right-back Harry Clarke would be available for selection for this weekend’s fixture versus QPR. Picture: Ady Kerry

He said: “It’s one of those, he’s still being managed. It’s a long-standing issue, so it’s management that we’re going to have to be careful of for the foreseeable.

“But for the same time, it’s one of those issues that players have and can play with for a very long time.

“He’s trained this week, we’ve adjusted his training schedule a little bit. He’s adjusted his programme a little bit to find a way to get to his best condition. He’s had a good week and he feels good and he’ll be available for selection for Saturday.”

The manager also gave an update on central defender George Edmundson who suffered with ankle issues during pre-season but McKenna says the 26-year-old is now doing okay.

“George is fine, George is training well” he said.

“He’s had one last injection in his ankle a couple of weeks ago because it was still giving him problems all through pre-season.

“But for the last couple of weeks he’s been training really, really well and he’s ready to play and is available, which leaves us in a good position.”

Town goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky has impressed while Christian Walton remains out on the sidelines with a plantar fascia tear, but McKenna has provided an update and said he is doing well.

“Christian is progressing well, he’s out of the boot and he’s started his work in the gym and his rehab is all going to plan so far,” he said.

Queens Park Rangers come into the game following a recent 2-1 win against Cardiff in the league and also a 4-0 loss to Watford in their first game of their 2023/2024 campaign.

McKenna gave his thoughts on TownTV ahead of the fixture: “It’s their first home game (of the season) so they’ll want to get off to a good start in that type of fixture,” he said.

“For us we will look to do the things we need to do to go on and take control of the game. We know that the home crowd can work for you or against you and we will do everything we can to make things turn in our favour.

“Every stadium is going to be bigger than most we were in last year and Loftus Road is a historic stadium with a good atmosphere and tight pitch but we need to enjoy that, we need to enjoy these challenges.”