Ipswich Town's sole focus going forward rests on Premier League survival, having now exited the FA Cup at the hands of Nottingham Forest.
The FA Cup was never a top priority anyway, but there will still be some comfort taken from the fact Nuno Espirito Santo's Forest could only knock out the Tractor Boys via a penalty shoot-out, instead of the hosts dishing out a thumping.
kieran mckenna
Whilst there are some positives to hang onto from the dramatic defeat, the ever-growing injury list at Ipswich has only increased after Monday night's loss, with Axel Tuanzebe now annoyingly sidelined.
The latest on Ipswich's injury issues
Indeed, off the back of the Cup defeat, Ipswich now have four injury concerns heading back into the bread and butter of the Premier League, with Sammie Szmodics and Conor Chaplin both not fit enough to feature against Forest, whilst Tuanzebe and Cameron Burgess had to come off at half-time with concerns of their own.
The ex-Manchester United man now has a hamstring issue that leaves Ipswich a little light in the right-back spot moving forward, considering Championship regular defender Harry Clarke is now out on loan with Sheffield United as an alternative face in this troubled position.
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McKenna won't exactly be enthused to throw Ben Godfrey into this area of the pitch either, considering both of Godfrey's league run-outs since joining has seen his loan side lose 6-0 and 4-1, with the attackers facing off against the ex-Everton man loving life subsequently.
Ben Johnson is another figure that could come in as a utility option, but the former West Ham United face won himself an assist in the Forest clash playing down the right wing, meaning McKenna might well fancy him more as a presence joining in with attacks over strictly defending.
Therefore, to find a fresh option in the right-back area, the Ipswich boss could be prepared to start this dependable face here, knowing he will put in determined performances.
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The Ipswich "warrior" who can solve Tuanzebe blow
Ipswich's strengths this season haven't always centred on defensively resilient displays, considering the Suffolk underdogs have leaked a high 57 strikes in the league.
But, regardless of this growing amount of goals, Dara O'Shea has looked composed and competent for the most part at the back, especially when the usual centre-back body was chucked into the team away at Forest down the right.
O'Shea's numbers at Forest
Stat
Minutes played
Touches
Accurate passes
Successful dribbles
Clearances
Blocked shots
Interceptions
Total duels won
Stats by Sofascore
Looking at the table above, O'Shea ensured Ipswich remained strong at the back to take Espirito Santo's hosts the distance with five duels won in total, alongside six clearances being registered.
But, his composure on the ball - away from his "warrior"-like presence at the back - as he's been praised for in the past by Valerien Ismael - lends itself well to this position on the right flank, with one successful dribble even amassed on top of his 20 accurate passes.
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Yet, if the Irishman was to come in and just be a staunch option alongside his fellow defenders, keeping Johnson on the right wing would still be able to gift Ipswich an expansive presence here, with an equally daring Jaden Philogene-Bidace also at McKenna's disposal for their next league test versus Crystal Palace after being cup-tied.
Whatever personnel he does select for this tough away trip to the Eagles, McKenna will hope a lot of fight and grit is on display, as time starts to gradually slip away from the Tractor Boys in their bid to stay up.
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