"Massive blow": Report made over Kieffer Moore's worry at Ipswich Town

As the Championship season draws to a close, Ipswich Town will be concerned about the health of on-loan striker Kieffer Moore.

The Welsh international was taken off nine minutes before halftime in their thrilling 3-2 victory over Southampton at Portman Road, appearing to injure his back. Despite attempting to continue, he was replaced and led straight down the tunnel.

Kieffer Moore injury update

Shortly after the victory over the Saints, Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna provided an update on the striker’s injuries.

Due to the nature of the injury, the Tractor Boys manager was unable to provide a clear idea of how long the on-loan Bournemouth striker will be unavailable.

“I haven’t had the medical report, to be honest,” McKenna told TWTD. “He took a hard hit on his back.

“I believe it is all locked up, which isn’t ideal, so we’ll have to watch how he is over the next few days. But I haven’t received a report yet.

Kieffer Moore admission made as East Anglia derby looms

Following their Easter weekend games, Ipswich return to action in the early kick-off against rivals Norwich City, who will be looking to retain their own play-off chances while also dealing a blow to their East Anglian opponents’ automatic promotion hopes.

With only six games remaining in the season, the Tractor Boys lead the Championship standings, with Moore playing a key role in the team since joining from Bournemouth in the January transfer window.

The striker scored six goals in 12 games in the second tier, adding a more physical aerial threat to McKenna’s attacking arsenal, which is undoubtedly paying off.

However, a potential stint on the sidelines might be critical to Ipswich’s automatic promotion aspirations, as the experienced striker not only provides goals for the team, but has also played over 150 Championship games and helped Bournemouth gain promotion in 2021/22.

Here at FLW, we questioned our Ipswich fan pundit, Henry, about the potential impact Moore’s absence could have on their promotion ambitions, and he admitted that the Tractor Boys will struggle to retain a top two finish without Moore.

“Kieffer Moore going off injured against Southampton would be a massive blow if he is unavailable for the next few games, especially against Norwich,” he added.

“Al Hamadi is good, but he doesn’t have the same physical impact as Moore, and the way the team moves up the pitch with Moore is completely different from how Al Hamadi plays.

“Having said that, the Norwich centre-backs may be unaccustomed to the pace in behind, so it may be a viable alternative.

“Fingers crossed it wasn’t too bad, and one game out wouldn’t be the worst, but a couple more might make it difficult for us to keep up these last six games.

“Fingers crossed it was only a small injury, and he’s recovered by the weekend.”

Ali Al Hamadi has a huge chance to impress

If Moore’s injury is worse than initially suspected, Ipswich still have a number of offensive options, one of whom was signed during the January transfer window.

Ali Al Hamadi joined from AFC Wimbledon after scoring 13 goals and assisting six times in League Two, and he has maintained his success since his move from Portman Road.

Despite playing primarily as a substitute, the Iraq international has four goals and an assist in 11 Championship games, and he was brought in to replace Moore in the win over Southampton.

The 22-year-old has shown flashes of brilliance in the side, most notably in his 18-minute cameo against Sheffield Wednesday, where he scored twice, and a continuous run in the side might be the key to unlocking the form seen at Plough Lane.

Despite his inexperience, Al Hamadi has players around him who can support him in the offensive areas if Moore is sidelined for an extended period of time, and it might be his chance to become a hero so early in his Ipswich Town career.