Ipswich Town have a major injury issue on their hands at left-back with Conor Townsend succumbing to an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury in their recent pre-season match.
The 32-year-old went down on the pitch during the first half of their match against A.J. Auxerre last weekend in their final pre-season outing before their Championship opener against Birmingham City tomorrow night. Whilst the former West Bromwich Albion was able to walk off of the pitch in France, the club has since confirmed on social media that Townsend will face ‘a lengthy spell on the sidelines’.
Crisis At Full-Back Emerges
Townsend’s injury has given Kieran McKenna a major dilemma at left-back ahead of tomorrow night’s clash at St. Andrews’. Summer signing Ashley Young was brought on on Saturday, making him the club’s only fit player in the position, as Leif Davis was also ruled out of that game, due to illness rather than any fitness concern.
40-year-old Young looks set to be handed his debut for the Tractor Boys against Birmingham, fresh off of a campaign with Everton where he played 36 times under both Sean Dyche and David Moyes at right-back. Whilst centre-back Jacob Greaves could also fill in at the position, which could aid summer signing Cedric Kipre in getting his competitive debut after joining from Reims.
Other concerns could come from the future of Leif Davis, with reports from Mike McGrath stating that Premier League clubs have had bids rejected for the former Leeds United man, and further offers are expected to pry the 25-year-old away from Portman Road.
Writers’ View
With Ashley Young’s adaptability on both sides of the pitch, an ACL injury to Conor Townsend will not have major ramifications on Ipswich Town’s season. Of course, losing a dependable full-back option will be hard further down the line, but with Davis expected to stay and support from Jacob Greaves and Young, Keiran McKenna’s side have just enough cover to get by. However, news of a potential exit for Davis will be concerning, but with this latest development, it will only strengthen Ipswich’s stance to keep one of their star players at the club this season.
