Three more players join the injury list… McKenna on new absences and Ogbene blow

Axel Tuanzebe (thumb), Jacob Greaves, Ben Johnson (thigh) and Massimo Luongo (unstated) were known absentees leading into this game.

On top of that, captain Sam Morsy, club record signing Omari Hutchinson and midfielder Jack Taylor were also unavailable at the Gtech Community Stadium, with winger Chiedozie Ogbene stretchered off in the first half.

“Samy picked up a hamstring strain in the Everton game that he managed to finish the game with, but wasn’t available for this one,” revealed McKenna.

“The plan was for Jack Taylor to come in for Samy, because Jens (Cajuste) hasn’t trained much with the group yet, but he picked up an injury at the back end of the training week, which is disappointing for him and us.

“I thought Jens was outstanding, I have to say, having barely trained since the (knee) injury he sustained in the Southampton game. He really pushed through for the team. It was an incredible effort.

“Omari was due to start the game, but was sick in the early hours and through the morning. That was another late change.

“With Chieo it looks like an Achilles tear. We hope that won’t be the case, but I think that’s what looks most likely.”

“There’s been a lot of disruption, but that makes me even more proud of the performance and the mentality we showed as a team.”

Asked how long Taylor and Morsy could be out for, McKenna said: “Jack will be out until at least after the international break. We don’t know with Samy. That’s not quite as significant, but there’s going to be a big, big question mark around next week (home to Leicester).”