Borussia Mönchengladbach's sporting director Roland Virkus has criticised Ipswich Town's decision to field an U21s side for this afternoon's friendly clash in Germany.

The Blues had been set to play a first team XI in the clash at ATS Sportpark in Heimstetten, which kicked off at 1.30pm, but announced at 9pm last night that it would be an U21 side instead.

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A statement on the Town website said it was to give 'the Town youngsters an opportunity to test themselves against strong opposition as part of their own pre-season.'

Of the starting XI, only third-choice keeper Cieran Slicker has any first team experience.  

And that's left Virkus cutting an unhappy figure.

“We’ve had a great training camp and were hoping to round the week off with a friendly against strong English opposition,” he told Gladbach's social media.

“That Ipswich have now gone against our contractual agreement due to personnel issues is incredibly disappointing and has left us very frustrated.

“Unfortunately, we were unable to find an alternate friendly opponent at short notice, so we have no choice but to try and make the best out of the situation.”

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Town have a number of injuries in the first team squad, with boss Kieran McKenna admitting after last Saturday's friendly defeat to Fortuna Dusseldorf that the club needed to 'make a lot more additions.'

He added: "Look, at the moment we’re short of numbers, there’s no two ways about it – with the injuries that we have, we’re short of numbers.

“So everybody who’s training with us – and I’m going to include Fin (Barbrook) and Leon (Ayinde) in that – they’re really important to the group and they have to be ready to play a part in the Premier League.

“That’s just the reality of where we’re at with the numbers and availability."

Town have not responded to the comments from Virkus.