Kieran McKenna has revealed that Ipswich Town's entire first-team squad took part in training ahead of Saturday's trip to Middlesbrough, aside from long-term absentee Lee Evans.

The Blues are hoping to extend their lead on the chasing pack in the Championship, but know that they face a tough test on Teesside against a strong Boro side.

McKenna will, however, be able to utilise most of his squad, only missing the injured Evans [knee], as well as Massimo Luongo and Brandon Williams, who are both serving suspensions for reaching five yellow cards.

"This is maybe our first training week since pre-season with the whole squad available that hasn't been an international week," the manager said.

"It's just the two suspensions, and of course Lee Evans.

"Janoi [Donacien] has trained a couple of days this week, so we'll have to make a judgement call on whether he's going to be ready to be back in the squad or not.

"If not, he should be available for some of the games next week."

Luongo and Williams will be hard to replace as both bring a lot of physicality and aggression to the team. However, McKenna has a lot of squad depth at his disposal, meaning that others will be given the chance to step up in their absence.

"We have a squad for that reason," he explained.

"To get the yellows in the last game before the break is a bit frustrating, particularly in Massimo's situation on a personal level, because I know he would've loved to have played in this game against his former empoyers.

"That's just the way it goes. The big games are coming thick and fast. Our full focus is on this for those who are available.

"On the other hand, we play Watford away three days later, which is equally a very difficult game. It gives us a chance and a cause to utilise the squad.

"If we manage to stay injury free, it'll hopefully give us two fresh players for Tuesday night."