Three Wes Burns replacements for Kieran McKenna amid injury update

Wes Burns is a wide player for Ipswich Town who has been a star for the team since arriving at Portman Road in the summer of 2021.

Burns has actually made 100 appearances with the Tractor Boys as of this writing, tallying 24 assists and 23 goals in those games.

It goes without saying that Burns has contributed significantly to the team’s success under manager Kieran McKenna given the caliber of performances he has made at Portman Road.

Burns, for instance, scored eight goals and recorded an amazing fourteen assists down the right side of the pitch as Ipswich earned immediate promotion to the Championship the previous season.

Burns has played in all of the team’s league games in the Championship thus far this season. Despite his meager goal and assist totals, Burns is helping the team, as Ipswich is now second in the league.

Unfortunately, awful news has arrived for Ipswich and Burns.

What’s new with Wes Burns’ physical state?

Burns, who made his international debut for Wales in 2022, was absent from his national team once more as the international break approached.

But last week, after playing for 15 minutes against Gibraltar, Burns was forced to leave the game due to an injury.

The Welsh FA reported that Burns had returned to Ipswich Town for additional evaluation due to the injury.

Although the severity of the shoulder injury has not yet been made public, Burns may need to miss some time due to it.

Under those circumstances, manager Kieran McKenna would undoubtedly have to substitute him in the starting lineup; we’ve taken a quick look at three of his possible choices below.

Marcus Harness

Marcus Harness is a clear candidate to start in Burns’ place in the starting lineup.

So far this season, the 27-year-old has made nine appearances in the Championship, frequently substituting and filling in when necessary.

Though it hasn’t happened at Portman Road, traditionally, Harness has spent the majority of his career out wide on the right wing. He hasn’t done so yet.

Omari Hutchinson

Omari Hutchinson is another possible choice for the team’s manager if Kieran McKenna does not feel like starting Marcus Harness.

Although Hutchinson prefers to play through the center rather than out wide, he has proven this season that he is a flexible player.

He has, in fact, occasionally played on both the left and right wings this season, and we have no doubt that, given the opportunity, he could perform just as well on the right.

Sone Aluko

Of course, Ipswich still has Sone Aluko on file if McKenna is not satisfied with any of the aforementioned possibilities.

Although it would be unexpected to see him in the race right away, the 34-year-old has solid experience at this level.

Since he has only appeared in cup events thus far this season, it seems most likely that he will be moved to the bench in light of Burns’ injury news.

Still, he’s there as a backup plan in case McKenna needs him.