Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has explained why Nathan Broadhead didn't start in last night's 0-0 draw at Bristol Rovers.

The 24-year-old forward has offered tantalising glimpses of his talent since joining the Blues in a £1.5m deal from Everton on January 9, most notably an impressive full debut against Morecambe and his peach of a free-kick against Sheffield Wednesday.

It was him who looked most likely to make something happen at the Memorial Stadium last night after stepping off the bench in the 58th minute of a frustrating match.

However, having reported 'tight muscles' during his first week at the club, he still hasn't been able to start two games in a row.

"Nathan wasn’t fit to start the game," said McKenna afterwards.

"He had cramp in both his hamstrings on Saturday and is still feeling tight, so medically he was limited with what he could do tonight."

Speaking ahead of last night's game, the Blues boss had said of the former Sunderland and Wigan man: “He's adapting to a different style of play, he's come from a team (Wigan) who are at the bottom of the league (Championship), operating in a low possession, low pressure, low block, to coming to play in a team that wants to play really, really high intensity football.

"I think there's an adaptation there for all the new players who come to our club. I’ve seen that really clearly.

"I think Nathan is in that process of adaptation but he’s also shown enough across the two home games to show the individual quality that he’s got and why he could be an important player for us."

East Anglian Daily Times: Lee Evans is back in the treatment room for Ipswich Town.Lee Evans is back in the treatment room for Ipswich Town. (Image: Ross Halls)

Town, who have now won just four of their last 15 league games to slip to fourth in the League One table, were without the injured trio of George Edmundson, Lee Evans and Massimo Luongo last night.

Evans and Luongo being unavailable, coupled with the long-term absences of Dominic Ball and Panutche Camara, left skipper Sam Morsy and 19-year-old Cameron Humphreys as the only central midfielders to call upon.

Asked if he anticpated any of those injured players being available for Saturday's home visit of Forest Green Rovers, McKenna said: “Maybe George and Mass, possibly. They weren’t ready for today but we’re hoping they can join in training on Thursday. 

“Lee Evans, no. Nothing’s confirmed on him yet. He’s seeing the specialist this week and I should be able to update you on that come Friday."