Kieran McKenna will have some late calls to make as he prepares his stretched squad for Papa John’s Trophy action against Portsmouth. 

The Blues face their League One rivals in the last 32 of the competition at Portman Road, with McKenna having rotated his squad for his team’s three group matches earlier in the season. 

He will do so again tomorrow night, with knocks suffered in the weekend victory over Exeter City complicating matters.

“We are still working through that recovery process,” McKenna said. 

“We had a few knocks and niggles after the game, with Leif (Davis) and Conor (Chaplin) going off and JD (Janoi Donacien) having an issue as well. We’re still working through that. 

“We haven’t been able to train much (since coming back from Exeter) so it’s still about recovery and we’ll have to make some late decisions ahead of the game. 

“It’s one in a different competition that we want to do well in but we have to prioritise the squad as well with the big fixtures we have coming up.” 

While the return of Greg Leigh is a welcome boost, McKenna will have to do without cup-tied striker Gassan Ahadme and winger Kyle Edwards, who was sent off in the group game against Cambridge after picking up an extremely harsh second yellow card for diving. 

Lee Evans, Dominic Ball, Sone Aluko and Tyreece John-Jules are all out injured. 

“It’s a shame for Gassan and for Kyle as well, which is incredible really going back to the fact he’s suspended for seemingly winning a penalty at Cambridge,” McKenna said. 

“That’s another two out of an already-short squad and Greg hasn’t trained much, really, but has been working very hard with the fitness coaches. 

“He will be in the squad but we’ll have to have conversations with the medical team about how many minutes will be appropriate.” 

East Anglian Daily Times: Greg Leigh is set to play a part for Town against PortsmouthGreg Leigh is set to play a part for Town against Portsmouth (Image: Ross Halls)

Ipswich have faced Portsmouth and Portman Road already this season, with the Blues running out 3-2 winners in League One and McKenna expecting another competitive game between the two sides. 

“It’s a knockout game so both teams will want to win,” the Town boss said. 

“Portsmouth have a really strong squad as well, so whether they make changes or not they will have a good team and it will be a competitive fixture. 

“Both teams will want to win the game and it’s settled on the night, so we look forward to a good game where we can hopefully make it through to the next round.” 

After the Portsmouth game, Buxton visit Portman Road in the FA Cup on Sunday evening. 

“There will be changes across both games because players need and want minutes,” McKenna said. 

“We’ve had a busy league schedule and quite a lot of traveling so it will be important to give players the minutes they need. 

“It’s nice to be back at Portman Road now, whether it’s in the Trophy, FA Cup or in the league against Fleetwood next week.”