Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has revealed that Axel Tuanzebe's hamstring injury is a 'long-term' one.

The former Manchester United right-back made a fine start to the season only to suffer a freak washing-up accident, in which he feared he may lose his thumb, at the start of October.  

After sitting out four games, he returned to the team and played a key role in Town getting results against Tottenham (2-1 away win) and Manchester United (1-1 at home), only to limp off late on in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest.

"We've lost Axel, hamstring, long-term," said McKenna, speaking ahead of tomorrow night's Premier League home clash with Crystal Palace (7.30pm).

"He's seeing specialists over the next 24 hours, hopefully it won't need surgery, but it's a significant injury.

"He's a very important player for us that we're going to miss a large chunk of the season. It's disappointing for him and for us as well.

"There are a couple of other knocks and issues from Saturday's game that are being assessed today."

Right-back Ben Johnson and midfielder Kalvin Phillips have sat out the last two games. Asked for an update on them, McKenna said: "Kalvin had an ankle roll that he picked up shortly after the Leicester game. He's trained with the group today and is feeling better. We'll have to make a decision with regards to tomorrow night, but he'll definitely, touch wood, be in a great position come Sunday's game (at home to Bournemouth).

"Ben is pretty similar. He had a small muscular injury that he missed some training with, but he's trained a bit with the group today. Again, we'll have to make a decision for tomorrow night. Hopefully, by the end of the week, both will be in a good place."