Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has revealed that it's 'unlikely' that striker Kieffer Moore will be able to play any part in Saturday's East Anglian derby at Norwich City (12.30pm ko).

Moore - who has scored six goals in 12 appearances since joining on loan from Premier League club Bournemouth on January transfer deadline day - was forced off in the first half of Monday night's 3-2 home win against Southampton.

Speaking ahead of this weekend's first-versus-sixth Championship clash on Norfolk soil, McKenna said of the Welsh international: "It was a pretty severe back spasm. He's not been able to play any part with the team this week. Knowing the personality that Kieffer is, he hasn't given up on some involvement. It's not impossible, but at the moment I would say it's unlikely.

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"We don't think it's anything long-term. We've got two games next week (at home against Watford and Middlesbrough) and we would hope he'll have some involvement in those."

Striker George Hirst, the man Moore was signed to fill the boots of, recently returned to training having recovered from hamstring surgery undergone in January.

"It's too soon for George and we've got a couple of others from Monday to be honest who haven't been able to train and are doubts," revealed McKenna.

"There is still illness in the camp as well. Players have had flu and chest infections. Leif Davis still isn't 100%.

"It's been a challenge, but the group keep producing the right response and I trust they'll do the same over the next few days."

Welsh winger Wes Burns has missed the last two games after suffering a hamstring injury in the 6-0 home win against Sheffield Wednesday.

On him, McKenna said: "He's having a second scan today. We should know a little bit more after that. He's feeling better, but he hasn't progressed to any level of work yet."

East Anglian Daily Times: Ali Al-Hamadi could make his first Ipswich Town start in an East Anglian derby at Carrow Road.Ali Al-Hamadi could make his first Ipswich Town start in an East Anglian derby at Carrow Road. (Image: PA)

With Moore and Hirst both out, it seems likely that Ali Al-Hamadi - a £1m+ signing from League Two club AFC Wimbledon in January - could be handed his first start for the Blues.

Asked if he was ready to throw the 22-year-old into a game of this magnitude, McKenna replied: "Yeah. I think he's earnt that trust. We had belief in bringing him to this football club because of his potential. He's still got a lot of improving and growing and developing to do as a footballer, but we wouldn't have brought him in in January if we didn't think he could play a part in the team over the last few months of the season and he's certainly played a part.

"Of course to start games and play significant minutes is another big step up, but he took one of those steps up on Monday by coming on in the early stages of the game. Finding the rhythm of the game wasn't easy, but he fought his way through that period, had a big impact on the second half and was really unlucky with his chance that hit the post. He's become and important player for us already.

"It's worth knowing that he has an injury (groin) that will require surgery in the summer. I'm not sure many players would be playing with the injury that he has, but he's an incredibly tough boy and he's making himself available for the team. He's pushing through not just the barriers of jumping up two levels, but at times pushing through pain barriers for the team. We're going to need him to play an important role until the end of the season."