Ipswich Town defender Axel Tuanzebe suffered his serious hand injury in a freak washing up accident.

The former Manchester United man had enjoyed an impressive start to the Premier League season with the newly-promoted Blues, but was absent from Saturday's 4-1 defeat at West Ham.

Manager Kieran McKenna stated afterwards that he had suffered an 'unfortunate hand injury' that required surgery and would keep him out of action for 'quite a while'.

The Daily Mail reports that the 26-year-old was washing up last week when a glass smashed and caused a deep laceration. The report adds that 'there were concerns at the time that Tuanzebe could lose his thumb as a result of the incident but thankfully medics have been able to save his digit after surgery'.

It's a major set-back for a player who was just getting back to playing regular football again following two years spent largely on the sidelines due a back problem.

Ben Johnson stepped in for Tuanzebe at right-back at the weekend, while Harry Clarke, Dara O'Shea and Luke Woolfenden are other options for the role.

MORE: Tuanzebe on his Manchester United journey and getting back to full fitness with Ipswich