Ipswich Town: Kieran McKenna on Arsenal forward Tyreece John-Jules

The forward had netted three goals for the Blues before suffering a hamstring injury which required surgery, meaning he’s been ruled out since netting Ipswich’s second goal in their 4-4 draw with Charlton at the end of October. 

John-Jules has spent much of his rehab with parent club Arsenal but is close to rejoining Ipswich, at which point he will step things up in his bid to return to the pitch in the coming weeks. 

“We’re hoping he’ll join us in the next week or two,” McKenna said. 

"He’s having a last check-in with the surgeon to make sure they’re happy with everything but he's progressing well. He's still Arsenal at the moment but all being well he'll return to us in the next week or two and start to progress onto some more work out the on the pitch. 

“I think anyone would miss him to be honest. At this level I think he's such a good player and those qualities are hard to find, so anyone would miss him. We certainly missed him.”  

And it’s not just on the pitch where McKenna feels John-Jules' absence has been felt. 

“The players have really missed him around the group to be honest, which is maybe more of a surprise,” the Town boss said. 

Tyreece John-Jules, pictured watching a recent Town game with Greg Leigh (Image: Ross Halls)

“When you have a player coming in from a big club, who's had four or five loan moves, you never know how they're going to get into the group and you don’t know how much that they will feel at home. 

“I think he was incredibly settled here and was a really, really popular part of the group from the first week he was here really. So I think the players have really missed having them around. 

“He’s such a positive and likable person and they're looking forward to having him in the building. If the next few weeks of his rehab go well then we'll look forward to having him as an option on the pitch again as well.” 

Dominic Ball (knee) and Panutche Camara (groin) remain on the sidelines but both could still potentially feature for Town this season. 

“It’s possible for both,” McKenna said. 

“Panutche is a little ahead of Dom, possibly, and has worked on the grass with the fitness coaches and has another few weeks of that at least.

Dom Ball could still play for Town this season  

“Then he’s going to need a good few weeks of training because he’s missed so much time now.  

“There’s a chance he could be available in the coming months and Dominic as well, who has had a meeting with a specialist this week and had a positive update. 

“He’s hoping that withing the next four to six weeks he’ll be able to return to full training with the group. Getting up to speed to play minutes is another matter but he’s hopeful of getting back on the pitch. 

The extent of Town’s January transfer business means the Blues are now right on the limit of the EFL’s 22-man squad rules. But, crucially, they didn’t move beyond it, meaning both Ball and Camara were able to remain registered and could potentially play games if they recover in time. 

McKenna said: “I think it’s a good thing we were able to keep the 22 together and give everyone the hope of involvement this season, because we’re going to need the positive energy and drive from everyone in the building.”