Ipswich Defender Axel Tuanzebe Faces Lengthy Spell Out of Action After Nearly Losing Thumb in Unfortunate Mishap
Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has disclosed that defender Axel Tuanzebe will be sidelined for several months following a near-thumb amputation in a bizarre household incident just before the international break.
The 26-year-old Tuanzebe missed Ipswich’s recent 4-1 defeat against West Ham due to the injury sustained and has since undergone surgery, which is anticipated to keep him off the pitch for an extended period. McKenna described the accident as “very, very unfortunate and very, very serious,” revealing that Tuanzebe was on the brink of losing his thumb.
Speaking on the severity of the injury, McKenna stated, “He’s had surgery to repair the tendons in the thumb that was damaged; I think the recovery is going pretty well, but it’s a long-term injury.” Despite the setback, McKenna expressed gratitude that Tuanzebe is recuperating well, although the exact timeframe for his return remains uncertain.
Ipswich Town, still in search of their maiden top-flight victory since their promotion, are set to face Everton on Saturday. The Tractor Boys have had a challenging start to the season, with four draws and three losses in their opening seven matches, placing them just below Everton in the league table. Although eager to secure a win at Portman Road, McKenna emphasised that he is not adding undue pressure on his players.
McKenna also touched upon the versatility of player Omari Hutchinson, who played a significant role in Ipswich’s promotion last season. Despite Hutchinson being predominantly deployed as a right-winger during his loan spell at Ipswich in the Championship, his permanent move to the club saw him transition to a central position. Hutchinson’s impressive performance for England Under-21s as a winger sparked discussions about his optimal playing position, with McKenna stating, “We’ve got a pretty clear belief in how we can make him most effective in different games and different scenarios.”
The Ipswich boss remains hopeful for Hutchinson’s continued impact as the team strives for success in upcoming fixtures.