Kieran McKenna, Ipswich Town’s manager, says his team is short on numbers ahead of next weekend’s Premier League opening against Liverpool at Portman Road.
Key offensive combo Nathan Broadhead and George Hirst have both suffered injuries in pre-season, while a move to recruit Blackburn talisman Sammie Szmodics has stalled.
“We’re short on numbers going into the season, there’s no doubt about that,” said the manager, who had 18 contractual senior outfield players available for this afternoon’s 1-0 friendly victory over Nice.
“In an ideal world, we’d want to have 22/23 senior outfielders who are completely fit and ready to go, but we don’t live in an ideal world.
“There have been many hurdles this preseason, and there will be many more throughout the season.
“We have a bunch of players who have had a really good pre-season; we’re gaining numbers rather than losing them, so we’re in a better situation than we were a week ago.
“Yes, we’d want to have more strength, but it’s about the players who are fit and have earned the right to wear the shirt against Liverpool next week. That’s where I’ll be focusing most of my attention starting next week. Hopefully, everyone is supporting those guys and banding together as a club for this amazing occasion.”
When asked if any new signings were on the way, the Blues manager replied: “I don’t think there’s anything coming. The club is working hard, and I’m working hard to add to the squad. We’d like to be a few additions further along by now, but we’re where we are, and it’s a tough market.
“There is a balance to be struck between bringing in players who can help us as soon as possible and bringing in the right players who can help us over the next ten months, not just the next ten days. It is critical that we continue to make judgments that are appropriate for the big picture and the years ahead.”
The public has witnessed Town’s pursuit of Blackburn’s talisman Sammie Szmodics. The Republic of Ireland international came on and scored in Rovers’ first Championship victory over Derby last night.
“There’s nothing to say on that,” said McKenna. “I’ll never speak about any individual from another club.”
