Ipswich Town are sweating over the fitness of winger Wes Burns after he sustained an injury

Pundit Carlton Palmer believes winger Wes Burns will be a huge loss for Ipswich Town if he is sidelined for an extended period of time after picking up an injury on international duty for Wales.

Burns was substituted in the 15th minute of Wales’ 4-0 win over Gibraltar on Wednesday night after landing awkwardly and injuring his shouder.

The 28-year-old will not feature in the Euro 2024 qualifier against Croatia on Sunday, and he will return to Suffolk to be assessed.

It is the second time this season that Burns has been forced to withdraw from the Wales squad after picking up a hamstring injury while on international duty in September, but he was able to play for the Tractor Boys the following

Burns played a key role in Ipswich’s promotion from League One last season, scoring nine goals and providing 16 assists, and while he has scored just one goal and registered one assist so far this campaign, he remains an integral part of the side.

The winger made his 100th appearance for the club in the 4-2 win over Preston North End at Portman Road on Saturday, and manager Kieran McKenna will be desperately hoping his injury does not rule him out for long.

Ipswich currently sit second in the Championship table, eight points clear of third-placed and they are back in action with a trip to face struggling Rotherham United at the New York Stadium on Friday night.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer revealed that he believes Burns would be a big loss for Ipswich, but he says the Tractor Boys will be able to cope in the Welshman’s absence.

“Ipswich Town are sweating on the fitness of Wes Burns, who was injured on duty for Wales,” Palmer said.

“His injury is going to be assessed now, and he’s going to be a massive loss for them.

“Ipswich are on a tremendous run at the moment, and it’s always a worry for managers when players go off and play on international duty because there is always that risk of them picking up injuries.

“So Ipswich will be hoping that Wes’ injury is not too bad, and he won’t be out for too long a time.

“It would be a massive blow for them if he is, but I think Ipswich have the squad to cope with it and I think they will go again in the January transfer window.

“But he’s a big part of what they’re doing, so the manager Kieran will be sweating and hoping that he will be back and hopefully be available for selection soon.”

There is no doubt it would be a huge blow for Ipswich to lose Burns for any significant period of time.

McKenna will be hoping that his injury is not serious, but as Palmer says, the Tractor Boys have the depth and quality in their squad to cope should he be sidelined.

Ipswich are well-stocked in the attacking areas, and with a trip to face 23rd-placed Rotherham coming up after the international break, they will be confident of picking up another three points.

It is perhaps no surprise that a number of Sunderland players look to be attracting transfer interest from the Premier League.

The Black Cats defied many expectations last season when, in their first campaign back in the Championship after four years in League One, they were able to secure themselves a place in the play-offs.

Ultimately, they would miss out on promotion to the Premier League at the semi-final stage, where they were beaten by Luton Town.

Even so, Tony Mowbray’s side have made another strong start to the current campaign, that suggests they have a chance of at least repearing that feat again this time around.

What makes that even more impressive, is the fact that they are doing this, with one of, if not the youngest squad in the Championship.

However, the fact that they have so many young players producing such high quality at such an early stage of their careers, is something that makes it understandable they are attracting interest from the top-flight, given the potential they have to become even bigger assets as they continue their development.

Now it seems as though one Sunderland player who is attracting that sort of interest as attention starts to turn towards the January transfer window, is Dan Ballard.

According to reports from journalist Alan Nixon, newly promoted top-flight side Burnley are now taking an interest in Ballard.

The centre back joined the Black Cats back in the summer of 2022, arriving on a permanent deal from Arsenal, following an impressive loan spell with Sunderland’s Championship rivals Millwall the season before.

Having been hampered by injury when he first moved to the Stadium of Light, Ballard has since become a key figure in the centre of defence for Sunderland, making a total of 33 appearances in all competitions.

Indeed, the 24-year-old has featured in every Championship game for the club so far this season, producing some solid defensive performances, and scoring two goals, to emerge as a key man in their play-off push up until now.

It is thought that Clarets boss Vincent Kompany is keen to bring in an old-school defender in a bid to solidify his side’s backline, after a tough start to life back in the Premier League.

So with that in mind, it does seem as though one piece of business Sunderland completed with regards to Ballard over the summer, looks particularly important.

While the focus throughout any transfer window is always primarily on incomings and outgoings, Sunderland also did business with certain current players, such as Ballard.

Back in early August, the Black Cats announced that the centre back had put pen to paper on a new four-year contract with the club, securing his future at The Stadium of Light until the end of the 2026/27 season.

That of course, means that amid that interest in his services from elsewhere, there is no risk for Sunderland of Ballard running down his deal with the Black Cats and walking away for a free, while being a player who is worth a lot more to the club.

Indeed, with so long remaining on his contract at The Stadium of Light, Sunderland now know that they are under no pressure to sell the 24-year-old unless it is on their own terms, meaning they can demand a rather sizeable fee for his services, should Burnley, or any other club, come calling in January.

In turn, that would ensure that if the centre back does move on at the turn of the year, it will in a deal that brings in funds for Sunderland that could potentially not only allow them to replace Ballard, but also strengthen other areas of their squad as well, and that is even if he is to leave at all.

So with all that in mind, it seems this emerging interest in the centre back from Burnley, means that the decision made by Sunderland in handing Ballard a new contract back in the summer, now looks to be an even more sensible and crucial one, than it did at the time.

The winger enjoyed an excellent spell at The Stadium of Light last season

That’s according to a report from iNews, who say that the two clubs have formed a strong relationship in recent time

Diallo of course, enjoyed an excellent spell on loan with the Black Cats during the 2022/23 campaign, following an underwhelming spell with Rangers in the second half of the previous season.

During his time at The Stadium of Light, the winger scored 14 goals and provided four assists in 42 appearances in all competitions for the Black Cats.

That saw him help the club to the Championship play-offs, where they missed out on promotion after defeat to Luton in the semi-finals, while he was also named Sunderland’s Young Player of the Year.

Unfortunately for the winger, things have not gone as he would have wanted since he returned to Old Trafford in the summer

The 21-year-old suffered a knee injury in pre-season, that means he is yet to make a single competitive appearance for United during the current campaign

However, it seems there is a way that could open up the possibility of a return to Sunderland for Diallo, come the turn of the yea

With Diallo now coming towards the end of his recovery period, the winger is going to need to start building up his match fitness again in the near future.

According to this latest update, Sunderland would be willing to bring the Ivory Coast international back to the club on loan in January, in order to give him the chance to get that game time he needs to do that.

It is thought that Sunderland and Manchester United have developed a strong relationship in recent times, that could aid them with regards to making this deal happen.

Indeed, the Black Cats have apparently also built a reputation for developing young players recently, which may also aid their case here.

It has been a strong start to the season for Sunderland as they look to mount another promotion push.

The Black Cats currently sit fourth in the Championship table, having taken 19 points from 11 league games so far this season.

Tony Mowbray’s side will return to action after the international break on the 21st October, when they make the trip to Stoke City

You get the feeling this would be a very good piece of business for the Black Cats if they can get it done.

Diallo was a key player for Sunderland in their run to a top six spot last season, and given they are making that sort of push for a top six again during the current campaign, having the United winger to help them with that would be a major boost for them.

Indeed, given how good he was for the Black Cats last season, you also feel this would be a hugely popular move around the Stadium of Light.

Add in the fact that it would help Diallo get the game time he needs to get back up to speed in the game, and this could be a deal that works well for all involved.

Under new manager Daniel Farke, the Whites have now won four of their last six games, losing just once in that period.

As a result, they currently sit fifth in the Championship table, nine points adrift of the automatic promotion places, with more than enough time remaining in the campaign to overhaul that deficit.

Of course, after the disappointment of last season, everyone associated with the club will no doubt be desperate to ensure they remain in the promotion battle all the way through the season.

That would ensure that the club have the best chance to re-establish themselves at the level, something that will become harder the longer they are away, which will increase the risk of key players departing.

Meanwhile, it would allow both Farke and their new owners, the 49ers Enterprise, the chance to make the perfect start to their Elland Road stints.

Now, though, it seems that Leeds have been handed yet more incentive to ensure they are in the promotion mix come the January transfer window at least, thanks to some recent comments around Kalvin Phillips.

Since departing Leeds to join Premier League champions Manchester City in the summer of 2022, Phillips has found life rather difficult.

The midfielder has so far been unable to establish himself in Pep Guardiola’s side, making just 26 appearances in all competitions so far, only a handful of which have been as a starter.

That has prompted recent reports from iNews to claim that Phillips is being lined up for a move away from The Etihad Stadium in the January transfer window, and it seems a return to Leeds could be a possibility should that happen.

Speaking earlier this week about the England international’s preferred destination should he leave City in the summer, Daily Telegraph’s Luke Edwards, told BBC’s Sport’s Football Gossip Daily (11/10, 3m15s) that Phillips would favour a return to Leeds were he to move on again.

It is thought that is down to his connection with the club as a boyhood fan, and the fact he has remained in touch with plenty of those at Elland Road since he made his move to Manchester City.

So, with this opportunity now potentially set to present itself, it seems ever more important that Leeds ensure they do not slip out of the Championship promotion race any time soon.

Despite his lack of game time at City over the past year or so, Phillips has, up until now, remained a regular feature in Gareth Southagte’s England squad.

As Edwards noted in those comments however, even the Three Lions boss may find it hard to justify calling up the 27-year-old, if he is playing Championship football.

However, that could potentially be different, if it looks like a stay in the second-tier would only last a few months, due to Leeds being on course for a swift return to the top-flight with Phillips

Indeed, if he is playing regularly, with a group of players who are arguably capable of playing Premier League football, and enjoying success in the process of a promotion campaign, there may even be an argument that Phillips could be just as useful an option for England, as he is now while only playing a few competitive minutes for a world class side from time to time

Furthermore, if Phillips himself believes a return to the Championship with Leeds would be a brief one – giving him the chance to make a swift return to top level football just a few months down the line – he too may be open to such a move.

The idea of returning to his boyhood club to win promotion to the Premier League with them for a second time, is something Phillips could see as a bit of a fairytale after his recent frustrations at City.

With all that in mind, it does seem as though these latest comments about a potential move for Phillips means that remaining competitive in the Championship promotion race over the next few months, is now more important than ever for Leeds

Hogan has been underwhelming in recent times for the Blues, so Rooney may be lining up a replacement for the Republic of Ireland international

After shrugging off injury troubles at the Bees, Hogan scored 14 Championship goals 25 matches in the 2016-17 season, which led to a mid-season move to Aston Villa.

His move to Villa Park did not work out though, and in 2020, he was loaned out to bitter rivals Birmingham City.

That situation proved to be more fruitful for the Republic of Ireland international, who ended up signing permanently for the blues, and in the last two season he has hit double figures with 10 goals in each.

However, having found the back of the net just once in the first 11 matches of 2023-24, there is a chance that new Birmingham head coach Wayne Rooney could want to replace Hogan in January should he be given the funds, especially as his contract expires in June.

Let’s take a look at FIVE players that could be a realistic upgrade on 31-year-old Hogan when January does come around

If Birmingham want to stay shopping in England and look towards League One, then Bishop is perhaps the striker with the most upside still at that level.

He was a late bloomer in the professional game with Accrington Stanley, but he has taken his scoring record to another level since his switch to Portsmouth last summer, capitalising from the better service.

A scorer of 24 goals in all competitions for Pompey last season, Bishop already has eight league goals in 12 appearances, and he could be now ready for the step up to the Championship – he looks to be a complete striker as well with good quality with both his feet and head.