Gary O’Neil has moved quickly to calm fears over Julio Enciso after the forward was taken off in the 71st minute of Ipswich Town’s 2-1 win over Sunderland. The Ipswich boss said it was cramp, not an injury, and added that Enciso is expected back on the grass on Monday.
That is an important update for Ipswich, because Enciso was the pick of the Town players on his second debut for the club. He also created the opening goal for Brazilian debutant Emersonn, underlining why his return has already become such a talking point for the season ahead.
Enciso Ipswich concern eased
O’Neil’s post-match message was straightforward. “Just cramp, which was good, not good, but better than being injured. He’ll be back on the grass on Monday,” he said.
For Ipswich, that is the best possible outcome after a moment that briefly looked like it might be more serious. Enciso had already made a strong impression before being treated late in the game, and the club will be relieved that the issue appears to be short-term rather than a setback to his reintegration.
Other fitness issues still need managing
Enciso is only one part of a wider fitness picture at Ipswich. O’Neil said there have been “three issues” in pre-season, with Julio, Florentino and Abdul Fatawu all joining the group late.
Florentino Luis remains the main concern. O’Neil explained that the midfielder felt his calf after the Rayo Vallecano game, and that the problem has taken a little while to clear up. He said Florentino will miss Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie at home to Leicester, but is hoped to be back next weekend against Manchester United.
There is also a watch on Jaden Philogene. O’Neil said he hurt his ankle in the Union Berlin game and also had “a little nick on the ligament”, before returning as a half-time substitute in a final friendly last weekend. The manager said he will review him again this week.
Fitness staff have given Ipswich a platform
O’Neil was keen to stress that the club’s conditioning work has been a positive, even with a few late problems to manage. He praised the pre-season work from the fitness staff, saying Ipswich looked capable of pressing late in games with the energy they showed against Sunderland.
That matters because Ipswich are trying to build rhythm while also bringing new players into the group. O’Neil said the club are still looking to sign a couple of players in the next 10 days or however long is left in the window, with Azor getting close.
For now, though, the headline is a reassuring one. Enciso’s withdrawal was a scare rather than a setback, and Ipswich can move into the week with one of their most promising attacking options expected back quickly.
