Ahead of a crucial game between two sides sitting in the depths of the bottom-half, Ipswich Town could be forced to square off against Manchester United without two key men.
Ipswich injury news
With every week and every defeat, Ipswich once realistic survival chances have faded into more and more of a fantasy. Now five points adrift of safety in the Premier League, The Tractor Boys desperately need to get back to winning ways for the first time in 10 league games, having last shocked Chelsea at the end of December.
There was once a time when a visit to Old Trafford was the last thing that a side in Ipswich’s position need. Nowadays though, it’s exactly what the doctor’s ordered.
Kieran McKenna‘s side arguably have their best chance to pick up three points since they allowed Southampton to pick up a rare victory in frustrating fashion. United are blunt going forward, vulnerable going the other way and there for the taking under Ruben Amorim, but Ipswich may not be at their best themselves following recent injury news.
As confirmed by McKenna, Ipswich could now be without both Kalvin Phillips and Jens Cajuste against Manchester United after both players limped off against Tottenham Hotspur last time out.
Related
0 duels won: McKenna must axe Ipswich dud who can’t cut it in the PL
Tottenham Hotspur picked up a 4-1 away win at the expense of Ipswich Town.
McKenna told reporters: “It looks like, hopefully, neither is a very, very serious injury. But they’re still getting some scans and assessments. Honestly, I don’t think we can rule anything in or out. That’s not being flippant.
“They’re getting some scans this morning which we’ll get the results of this afternoon. We don’t think either injury is severe and we can’t put any timescale on them at the minute.”
Facing a race against time to be fit, both Phillips and Cajuste will be desperate to fight back to full fitness and leave their mark on Old Trafford and the rest of Ipswich’s bid for survival.
Injury comes at frustrating time for Phillips
Having seen his time at Manchester City dominated by injury and a lack of game time, Phillips looked to be building momentum at last for Ipswich – starting three of their last four league games – only to suffer another blow. Now awaiting the result of his scan, the £150,000-a-week midfielder will be desperate to avoid another lengthy absence.
With just 12 Premier League games remaining, it will soon be decision time for Ipswich regarding a permanent move to sign Phillips. And whilst at times he has looked destined to bow out at Portman Road, recent improvement could yet ignite some hope that he could yet earn a summer switch.
Either way – whether courtesy of Ipswich or another willing club – the former Leeds United midfielder would be wise to end his Manchester City career on a permanent basis.
Before any of those decisions, however, Phillips must hope to play a part in what would be a miraculous recovery from Ipswich if they were to maintain their top flight status.
