JONNY BECOMES INSTANT SUCCESS
Equaliser provides a happy return
AS DEBUTS go, you would be hard pushed to find a more eventful one than Jonny Williams had for Ipswich on Tuesday.
The Crystal Palace loanee came off the bench in the 58th minute against Sheffield Wednesday, blasted the equaliser to earn his new side a point just four minutes later and then hobbled off with a groin injury on the stroke full-time.
The 20-year-old midfielder should be fit for today’s trip to high-flying Nottingham Forest, however, and he is eager to continue his bright start.
Technically, the Owls match was Williams’ second debut for the Tractor Boys, having spent time on loan at Portman Road last season, and the Welsh international says the game will live long in the memory.
Fantastic
“That was a great debut and one I won’t forget quickly,” said Williams, who made 12 appearances for the Tractor Boys last term.
“It was a great feeling to score so soon after coming on and it was fantastic to celebrate with the lads and, of course, the fans, who have been brilliant with me.
“I signed on Monday and to be honest it doesn’t really feel like I’ve been away, it was great to see so many familiar faces and I felt we deserved the point.
“Sheffield Wednesday are a good side so it has to be seen as a good result, although it would have been nice to get the win.
“I came off towards the end as I just felt my groin, but I’m hoping I will be OK for the Forest game.”
Williams isn’t the only injury worry for Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy as midfielder Luke Hyam and former Forest winger Paul Anderson are both struggling with knocks, while Cameron Stewart lacks match fitness.
Anderson is the greater doubt for today’s game but with no long- term injuries currently affecting the squad, McCarthy has the luxury of naming an unchanged side from Tuesday’s draw if he so chooses.
And the former Republic of Ireland manager claims he is quietly confident that he will be able to pick his starting XI from a fullstrength squad.
“Jonny has had treatment but he has been speaking to me and asking if he can go straight to the Wales meet-up after the Forest game, so I anticipate him being fit,” said McCarthy.
“Luke Hyam took a couple of hefty knocks on Tuesday night, but he will be OK. Paul Anderson came off in training on Friday when his hamstring tightened up and I am not sure whether that is just a nerve that tightened up or if there is any damage.
“I am hoping he is fit because he is going back to his old club, and players have a knack of scoring against their old club don’t they?
“Cameron Stewart played 75 minutes for the U21s recently and started running out of gas, which tells me he needs games, he has not had a lot of football.
“We have an U21s game on Monday, and if he is not involved against Forest, he will play in that.”