Former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe has undergone surgery to rescue his thumb after a grave mishap while doing the dishes.
Tuanzebe, who had been a fixture in Ipswich's starting lineup for every Premier League clash this term, was notably absent from Saturday's face-off with West Ham. The 26-year-old , instrumental in the Tractor Boys' ascent from the Championship, was sorely missed at the London Stadium where Kieran McKenna's squad suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat.
Post-match, the Ipswich manager disclosed that Tuanzebe was out of action due to a "very unfortunate accident" leading to a hand injury. The right-back encountered a domestic mishap when a glass he was washing shattered, causing a severe laceration, according to the Mail.
Emergency medical intervention was required, but fortunately, Tuanzebe's thumb was saved following successful surgery.
The timeline for Tuanzebe's return to the pitch is uncertain. With Ipswich set to lock horns with Everton on October 19 in a pivotal bottom-of-the-table Premier League showdown, it's doubtful he'll make a comeback.
McKenna has conceded that Tuanzebe's absence will be felt, acknowledging, "He's done a hand injury, a very unfortunate accident," and adding, "He's had surgery and will be out for a while. It's not going to be a couple of weeks, probably longer. There are still discussions with the specialists."
The player's absence comes as a significant blow, with his manager conceding: "He's naturally a miss with the way he's started the season. He's going to be out for a little while. We're going to have to adjust and regroup as a team."
Tuanzebe made the move to Ipswich in September 2023 following loan spells at Stoke City from Manchester United. A product of the United academy, Tuanzebe showed considerable potential but only managed 37 appearances for the first team.
Alongside three loan periods at Aston Villa, he also had stints playing for Napoli and Stoke. Now firmly part of the Ipswich squad, having extended his contract in the summer, Tuanzebe is focused on a swift recovery from his recent hand injury.
Football injuries can occur amidst the most unexpected circumstances. In the annals of odd injuries, Dave Beasant infamously damaged a tendon in his toe due to a salad cream bottle mishap, and Richard Wright incapacitated his ankle whilst handling luggage in his loft.
Over the current international break, McKenna has his work cut out for him. His team was recently decimated by West Ham, who secured their first home win of the season against them.
Reflecting on team dynamics and challenges, McKenna remarked, "Everyone is out there with the right intent but it is how we cover each action," adding, "I don't think it is anything we don't know but the game can change very, very quickly for a team in our position. When you drop your level the game can get away from you very quickly."
