Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna explained why Sammie Szmodics was left out of the squad and Ivan Azon was withdrawn at half-time of this afternoon's 1-1 home draw with Preston North End.
Championship rivals Wrexham and Derby County are both trying to sign Szmodics ahead of Monday's 7pm transfer deadline, with the Blues standing firm on their valuation of the 30-year-old.
The front man was left out of the squad entirely this afternoon, with McKenna explaining: "There's not too much change from what we said yesterday. There's been some offers, nothing that the club sees as acceptable. If that doesn't change he'll be here come Tuesday.
"But we thought, in the light of that and a few other things, it was better to go with the other players today."
Azon started up front for Ipswich but was replaced at the break by George Hirst.
On that change, McKenna explained: "He had a really bad headache."
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Meanwhile, asked for an assessment of Anis Mehmeti's full debut, the Blues boss said: "I thought it was a positive. It's never easy coming into a new team and in the context of a game like that when there's not loads of space for you to operate.
"But he had some really good moments. There was a lovely pass for Jack Clarke in the first half and a lovely pass for George Hirst in the second half - two of our clearest chances.
"I thought his counter-pressure was really, really good as well. He's going to bring us good things and I'm sure he'll only improve as well."
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