Ipswich Town are still waiting to find out whether Emyr Huws will require surgery on his Achilles, while skipper Luke Chambers could be out longer than first feared with his ankle injury.

Huws became the club’s first seven-figure signing in five years this summer after manager Mick McCarthy persuaded owner Marcus Evans to spend £1m on a transfer fee and commit to a four-year contract in order to turn the midfielder’s loan spell from Cardiff into a permanent move.

The Welsh international hasn’t been able to kick a ball in anger since completing that switch at the end of June though due to a troublesome Achilles problem. He had been due to return to action in the Carabao Cup tie at Crystal Palace recently, but suffered a set-back in training the day before and subsequently saw a specialist. Huws and the club are still waiting to find out whether surgery is recommended.

Captain Chambers – who played every minute of every league game in 2016/17 – received lengthy treatment after falling awkwardly during the 4-3 win at Millwall on August 15. He completed the match at The Den, but an MRI scan revealed a partial tear to two ligaments in his right ankle as well as a small fracture.

Initially the club hoped he might return to action within a month, but that time frame is now looking optimistic. He will definitely miss Saturday’s Championship game at QPR.

Meanwhile, midfield duo Tom Adeyemi and Luke Hyam have continued their recoveries with outings for the Under-23s over the international break.

Adeyemi joined Town on a free transfer from Cardiff this summer, but a nasty illness followed by a calf strain has prevented him from making his debut. He played an hour for the 23s as Gerard Nash’s men beat Sheffield United 3-2 at Portman Road last Tuesday night then played 80 minutes in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday.

Manchester City loanee Bersant Celina scored a sumptuous free-kick goal against the Owls to boost his fist-team chances.

Hyam didn’t travel to Hillsbrough, having already got three U23s appearances under his belt following a long-term ankle problem, and could be in contention at the weekend.

Meanwhile, Flynn Downes and Tristan Nydam are representing England’s U19s. Nydam made his Three Lions U19 debut as Poland were thrashed 7-1 at St George’s Park last Friday, while Downes was an unused sub. Paul Simpson’s men now face Germany in a friendly at Mansfield’s One Call Stadium tonight (7.45pm).

Adam Webster (ankle), Tommy Smith (hamstring) and Teddy Bishop (groin) aren’t due back in action until October, while Andre Dozzell (knee) is out for the season.