Ipswich Town: Duo withdraw from October international duty
Ipswich Town duo Axel Tuanzebe and Ali Al-Hamadi have withdrawn from international duty ahead of tomorrow’s trip to West Ham.
Tuanzebe has started all six Premier League games so far this season, having been one of the Blues’ standout players so far.
He was initially called into the DR Congo squad for their upcoming AFCON qualifiers, but it’s since been revealed that he’s dropped out through injury, with Oxford United’s Peter Kioso replacing him
Al-Hamadi, on the other hand, featured off the bench against Liverpool, Manchester City and Fulham, although he’s been left out of Ipswich’s squad since George Hirst returned from injury.
The striker was due to feature for Iraq in their World Cup qualifiers later this month, but a report from news outlet @iraqfpg suggests that he’s set to remain in Suffolk after picking up a knock.
Town boss Kieran McKenna revealed that, on top of Jens Cajuste’s ‘minor knee issue’, a few of his players would be assessed ahead of the trip to East London. Although nothing has been confirmed, it seems that Tuanzebe and Al-Hamadi may miss out.
Tuanzebe’s potential absence could open the door for Ben Johnson to feature against his former club. The right-back last started a Premier League game for Ipswich away at Manchester City on August 24th.
Elsewhere, goalkeeper Arijanet Muric has been named in Kosovo’s squad for their Nations League C fixtures against Lithuania and Cyprus despite being expelled from their squad for breaking regulations during the last international break.
Young duo Liam Delap and Omari Hutchinson have been named in the England Under-21’s squad for their pivotal EURO U-21 qualifiers against Ukraine and Azerbaijan. Hutchinson, who missed the previous set of international games through injury, could make his debut at the level.
