Ipswich 'in a really difficult spot in terms of availability'

IPSWICH boss Kieran McKenna admits his depleted side are "in a really difficult spot" as they prepare to head to Newcastle, where relegation from the Premier League could be confirmed.

- By JIM VAN WIJK, PA

Town have only a slim and highly improbable mathematical chance of staying up, already 15 points adrift of West Ham with just five matches left to play and a far inferior goal difference.

Defeat at St James' Park tomorrow would send Ipswich back to the Sky Bet Championship as would West Ham picking up a draw at Brighton to guarantee their own safety.

McKenna has been grappling with a growing injury list, which includes the likes of midfielder Kalvin Phillips, Nathan Broadhead, Sammie Szmodics and now defender Conor Townsend, who is out with a hamstring problem.