Ipswich Town’s Friday night trip to Oxford ended in frustration after a 2-1 defeat, but a glimmer of good news arrived for manager Kieran McKenna the following day.
The Tractor Boys saw their six-match unbeaten run in the Championship halted at The Kassam Stadium, where Oxford United—fighting for survival—claimed a vital 2-1 win thanks to goals from Mark Harris and Przemyslaw Placheta. The result stalled Ipswich’s surge toward the play-offs after a shaky start to the season.
Next weekend brings a massive challenge as runaway league leaders Coventry City travel to Portman Road. And while Coventry continued their incredible form with a 3-1 victory over Charlton Athletic—powered by an Ellis Simms double—there was one striking omission from their team sheet.
Frank Lampard delivers tough injury update
Coventry’s top scorer, Brandon Thomas-Asante, was nowhere to be seen, and the Coventry Evening Telegraph has since confirmed that he will be out until the new year with a torn hamstring. Lampard revealed:
“Brandon’s got a hamstring injury and he’ll be out for six weeks or so.”
Thomas-Asante is tied at the top of the Championship scoring charts with Derby County’s Carlton Morris. Morris is sidelined as well, though Derby boss John Eustace insists his forward is likely out for around three months—not the entire season, as initially feared.
There was at least some encouragement for Coventry fans, with Lampard indicating that USA international Haji Wright is closing in on a return ahead of the showdown in Suffolk.
A major boost for Ipswich—and McKenna
There’s no denying that Thomas-Asante’s absence provides McKenna with a significant advantage ahead of next Saturday’s high-stakes clash. The striker has been one of the standout stories of the season. After a disappointing 2024–25 campaign—just four goals in 36 matches—he has erupted this year, producing 10 goals and three assists in 17 league games. His surge in form has helped push Coventry to a commanding ten-point lead at the top, with 50 goals scored in their opening 18 fixtures.
Still, Coventry’s 3-1 win over Charlton without him is a reminder that Lampard’s side remain lethal. Ipswich, meanwhile, enter the match on uncertain footing after the shock loss at Oxford.
All signs point to next weekend’s clash at Portman Road being Ipswich’s toughest and most telling test of the season.
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