Ipswich Town experienced a crushing setback against relegation-threatened Portsmouth in midweek, but they cannot afford to let it affect them as they prepare for a crucial meeting against Middlesbrough on Sunday.

A win at Fratton Park on Tuesday would have put the Tractor Boys five points ahead of Millwall in third place and six ahead of Southampton and Boro heading into the weekend, with all three having a game in hand.

Instead, if the Lions win against QPR on Saturday, they may have overtaken them before kickoff at Portman Road, and Middlesbrough may catch up with Kieran McKenna’s side if they pick up three points this weekend.

Kieran McKenna provides updates on Leif Davis, Azor Matusiwa, and Wes Burns’ availability for Middlesbrough.

Ipswich will need all hands on deck over the next five games if they are to stay in the top two, so at his pre-Boro press conference, Kieran McKenna was pleased to inform that, for the most part, the squad is at full strength.

Azor Matusiwa, who suffered a dead leg in the win over Birmingham City on Easter Monday, was heavily strapped against Portsmouth and was replaced in the 58th minute. He is expected to return on Sunday as his injury improves.”I believe he’s in a better place,” McKenna stated. “Day by day, it gets better, and he’s in a better place than he was a week ago. That’s it; hopefully, he’ll be available for the squad.

Leif Davis, who missed Portsmouth due to his first child’s birth, has returned to training. The Ipswich manager is eager to welcome him back after a three-match suspension against Norwich City.He’s been practicing with us over the last few days. “He’s been training with the group for the past few days, so he’s a little tired like most new fathers,” he explained.We’re thrilled to have him back in the team for Sunday, and he may not have played as many minutes in the last six weeks as you’d like, but he should be fresh, and we have a lot of games coming up.”

Wes Burns is expected to miss a few weeks due to a calf injury sustained in a win against Sheffield Wednesday last month.He is too far away. It’s just that tiny hurdle that’s difficult, especially when coming back from an injury, and he’s just had a minor setback in his comeback. It’s nothing major, but he hasn’t quite been able to take that final step yet,” the Ipswich manager stated.

He did indicate that it will be a day-to-day issue, so the 31-year-old should be able to return before the season ends.

Ipswich Town’s injury news will provide them a much-needed lift ahead of the Middlesbrough match.

Ipswich will need everyone available to assist them go over the line as they face Middlesbrough and Southampton, both of whom are competing for a top-two spot.

The automatic promotion hunt is still in their hands, and it will be if they lose at Portman Road on Sunday, but that can’t be the thinking in the changing room, as a win would almost definitely kill Boro’s prospects of finishing ahead of them.

The reverse, however, would not only bring Kim Hellberg’s team within touching distance, but would also give Millwall and Southampton confidence if they can make ground, or even climb above them, this weekend.

With a nearly full roster available, and the uncertainty surrounding Hayden Hackney and Morgan Whittaker’s availability for their opponents, the Tractor Boys should have enough in the tank to defeat a Boro club that has gone winless in their last six games.

If they can do that and put their disappointment against Pompey behind them right away, Ipswich will have a significant advantage in the hunt for second place.