𝗜𝗽𝘀𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗷𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝘂𝗻𝗲𝘇 𝗗𝗼𝘂𝗯𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱! 🏥📉
By 247sportcity | Wednesday, January 21, 2026
IPSWICH – The high-flying Tractor Boys have hit a sudden medical roadblock. Despite securing their fifth consecutive victory on Tuesday night, Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has confirmed that star winger Jaden Philogene and midfield maestro Marcelino Núñez are major doubts for this Saturday’s massive Championship clash against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
With Ipswich currently occupying second place in the table and locked in a fierce battle with Middlesbrough for automatic promotion, these updates come at a pivotal moment in the season.
Philogene’s Knee Scare: The “Day-by-Day” Wait
Jaden Philogene, who has been Ipswich’s most lethal weapon with nine goals this term—including a famous hat-trick against the Blades in September—was the first casualty. He limped out of the 3-0 win over Blackburn last weekend with a knee issue.1
McKenna provided a positive but cautious update following Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Bristol City:
- The Scan: A scan on Tuesday confirmed there is no long-term structural damage, sparing fans the nightmare of a season-ending injury.2
- The Timeline: While not “serious,” the turnaround for Saturday is tight. “I would have thought Saturday would be a challenge,” McKenna admitted. “We just have to take it day-by-day and see how he recovers.”
The Midfield Architect: Núñez Ankle Update
The concerns deepened on Tuesday night when Marcelino Núñez was forced off in the second half.3 The Chilean international has been the heartbeat of McKenna’s midfield, starting 12 consecutive games and providing seven assists.4
McKenna revealed that Núñez felt “something in his ankle” during the 2-0 win.5 While it is currently unclear if the issue is a twist or a knock, his absence would be a significant blow to the team’s creative engine in the “Steel City” this weekend.
[Table: Ipswich Town Injury Ward — The Absent Stars]
| Player | Injury Type | Expected Return | Impact Rating |
| Jaden Philogene | Knee (Minor) | Doubtful for Saturday | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Marcelino Núñez | Ankle | Being Assessed | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Chuba Akpom | Groin | Mid-February 2026 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Kasey McAteer | Muscle | Early February 2026 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Sammie Szmodics | Knee Surgery | Late March 2026 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The “Jack Clarke” Solution
It’s not all doom and gloom for the Suffolk side. In Philogene’s absence on Tuesday, Jack Clarke stepped into the starting XI and proved his worth by scoring both goals in the victory over Bristol City.6 McKenna’s depth is being tested, but the squad’s “next man up” mentality is currently keeping their promotion charge on track.
The Striker Shortage: Akpom and Hirst Updates
Adding to the selection headache, Chuba Akpom remains unavailable due to a groin injury sustained in training last week.7 He is expected to miss at least another ten days. With George Hirst also nursing a groin strain and not expected back until late January, the attacking burden has fallen on Sindre Walle Egeli and Ivan Azón.
Final Verdict: A Promotion Test
Going to Bramall Lane is never easy, but doing so without your top scorer and your primary playmaker is a gargantuan task. Kieran McKenna has built a team that thrives on tactical discipline, and Saturday will prove whether his “well-drilled unit” can overcome these individual blows to maintain their grip on a top-two spot.