Ipswich Town given big loss ahead of Birmingham City clash as three incredible players will miss the game
Birmingham City travel to Portman Road on Saturday looking to build on consecutive wins against Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland
Ipswich Town expect to have Kieffer Moore available to face Birmingham City on Saturday (3pm) – and are also hoping that Jeremy Sarmiento could feature.
However, right-back Harry Clarke is a doubt after picking up a knock in the Tractor Boys’ dramatic 4-3 win over Rotherham United in midweek.
Both Moore, a January signing who has scored four goals in his five games since arriving from Bournemouth, and Sarmiento trained on Friday as Ipswich look to keep pace in a four-horse automatic promotion race.
Moore picked up a bang on his knee but seems likely to play, although Town boss Kieran McKenna was more reticent about former West Brom loan winger Sarmiento.
“Kieffer is okay after the knock he got to his knee and he’s trained today, which Jeremy has too after tightness in his hamstrings – thankfully no strains, which is a positive,” McKenna explained.
“Harry Clarke had a really bad dead leg so we’ll have to see tomorrow and make a call on that one, because he still has some limitation there. We’ll see how he is ahead of the game.”
Clarke has been a regular at right back, while loan left back Brandon Williams has returned to Manchester United and remains there having had a set-back. Jack Taylor’s return from a quad issue has been delayed by illness. George Hirst is also on the comeback trail.
Blues will be without George Hall, Alfie Chang and Alex Pritchard but will be buoyed by the return of Dion Sanderson to the middle of their defence. Tony Mowbray will not be present at the game having stepped away for a period to attend to receive treatment on a medical diagnosis.
“He’s still at United, he’s not training yet. We’re not sure how long the set-back is going to take, but he’s not even on the grass with them yet. So he’s still a little way away.”
Town take on Birmingham City in a Championship clash at Portman Road tomorrow. Asked for injury updates following Tuesday night’s 4-3 home win against Rotherham, McKenna said: “I think we’ve come through it pretty well.
“Kieffer (Moore) got a knock on his knee, but he’s been able to train today.
“Jeremy (Sarmiento) had a scan on his hamstring, thankfully that was just tightness and there was no strain – he was able to do a bit of the session today and there’s a possibility he could be involved tomorrow.
“Harry (Clarke) had a pretty severe dead leg, so he’s been very inhibited. We’re going to have to leave that decision until tomorrow to see what his involvement might be able to be.
“Wes (Burns) landed on his shoulder, but there’s no issue.
“Of course it’s been a busy run of games and that did show in bits of the game on Tuesday night, but everyone today seemed in a pretty good place and I’m sure by the time kick-off comes around, with a packed out Portman Road, the energy levels will be really good.”
