Ipswich Town defender Axel Tuanzebe faces an extended period on the sidelines after a freak household accident resulted in a severe hand injury. The 26-year-old right-back missed Ipswich’s 4-1 loss to West Ham due to the incident, which occurred while he was washing dishes at home. A glass shattered, and one of the shards caused a deep laceration to his hand, which led to fears he could lose his thumb.
Luckily, swift medical intervention and surgery saved Tuanzebe’s thumb, but his return to action is expected to be delayed. Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna confirmed after the West Ham match that Tuanzebe will be “out for a while,” with his absence likely to extend beyond the current international break.
Tuanzebe’s Impressive Start with Ipswich Town
Before the injury, Tuanzebe had made an impressive start to the season with Ipswich. His defensive contributions had earned him praise from Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler after a goalless draw last month. His absence will be a significant loss for Ipswich, who are yet to secure their first win in the season’s opening seven games.
The former Manchester United defender was seen as a key figure in Ipswich’s backline, and his injury leaves a gap as the team looks to climb up the league standings. The newly-promoted side has shown promise but will have to cope without Tuanzebe for the foreseeable future.
Impact on Tuanzebe’s International Career
The injury also comes as a setback for Tuanzebe’s international ambitions. He had recently earned his first three caps for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but the injury forced him to withdraw from the squad for the Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Tanzania. This unfortunate development could slow down his momentum on the international stage just as he was beginning to establish himself.
Ipswich’s Response and Next Steps
With Tuanzebe set for an extended layoff, Ipswich Town will need to adjust their defensive strategy. The club will be hoping for a quick recovery, but for now, the focus will be on finding a replacement who can fill the void left by Tuanzebe’s absence.
