Kieran McKenna details Sammie Szmodics injury as Ipswich Town given Chuba Akpom boost

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Ipswich Town have received two positive updates on two of their players as the Tractor Boys aim towards getting their first win of the season this Saturday.

Kieran McKenna’s side face Preston North End this Saturday at Deepdale and will be looking to get three points under their belt after drawing 1-1 with both Birmingham and Southampton in the Championship so far this season.

After failed moves for Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney and Newcastle United starlet Lewis Miley, the former Manchester United coach will be boosted by news of two of his stars’ fitness levels.

Sammie Szmodics played on after colliding with Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu on Sunday, but fan rumours suggested he may have picked up a bad injury as a result. Meanwhile, Town have been waiting for news on when new loanee Chuba Akpom will make his debut. Now, McKenna has answered questions on both at his pre-Preston press conference.

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Sammie Szmodics ‘recovering well’ after fears of ‘fractured arm’

Ipswich will not want to be without Szmodics this season after they lost him to injury last term.

The former Blackburn goalscorer suffered a ligament tear in his left ankle while playing in the Premier League last season, missing 16 top flight games as a result as Town were relegation back down to the second tier.

McKenna has poured cold water on any fears of a serious injury this time round, though.

However, the ex-Peterborough man did have to have his arm checked.

Speaking on Thursday, he said on Szmodics: “He’s recovering well. We feared it was a fracture in his arm, but an X-ray has cleared that.”

The Ireland international has played 24 games for Town since signing for £9million plus add-ons from Blackburn last summer.

He has scored four goals in that time, while also producing one assist. It remains to be seen if he and Akpom will be in the squad this weekend.

Chuba Akpom will travel to Preston North End

After Ipswich hijacked Birmingham’s move for Ajax forward Akpom, the London-born star is yet to make his Town bow as he gets up to fitness.

McKenna previously said Akpom experienced muscle tightness during his first training sessions with the club, so his start date was pushed back.

Now, though, the 39-year-old says his new player will be with them this weekend.

McKenna said: “He has trained with the group. All being well he’ll be with us in Preston.”

Akpom is on a season-long loan with Ipswich, who will have an obligation to buy the 29-year-old for £7million if promoted to the Premier League this campaign.

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