Kieran McKenna reveals whether Chuba Akpom will play for Ipswich Town v Preston | OneFootball

The ex-Ajax striker signed for the Tractor Boys earlier this month and will be keen to challenge George Hirst.

Ipswich Town's start to their Sky Bet Championship campaign, their first one back at this level following a single-season stay in the Premier League, has begun in steady fashion.

Whilst two points from the opening two games is hardly promotion-winning form, the Tractor Boys will caveat that with the fact that their opening two fixtures have been really tough on paper.

Firstly, on opening night, they travelled to St. Andrew's to take on Birmingham City, a game in which they drew 1-1 after a late George Hirst penalty in front of a raucous and passionate home Second City crowd.

Then, after a disappointing penalty loss to League Two outfit Bromley in the Carabao Cup, they were held to a 1-1 draw by Southampton at Portman Road last week, with Jay Robinson's first senior goal canceling out Taylor Harwood-Bellis' earlier calamitous own goal.

They host Preston North End tomorrow, with Paul Heckingbottom's side hosting the Tractor Boys in buoyant spirits no doubt after a positive start to the season for them.

Kieran McKenna confirms Chuba Akpom availability for Ipswich Town's Preston North End trip

That opening game of the season had further significance, given the transfer saga surrounding Chuba Akpom. In a mad week of build-up, Ipswich hijacked Birmingham's move for the ex-Middlesbrough striker, with the transfer being announced after the two sides had met at St. Andrew's.

He hasn't made the squad for either the Bromley or Southampton games, but boss Kieran McKenna has confirmed that he will be part of the travelling party from Ipswich to Preston.

Akpom is yet to feature in a matchday squad for Ipswich but will be in contention to make his Tractor Boys debut tomorrow afternoon, even if it does feel more likely that the versatile forward could start from the bench.

"He’s trained with the group now for the last couple of days, so that’s the first time he’s trained full throttle with the group – that’s a step forward," the Northern Irishman said.

“All being well, he’ll be with us for Preston.”

This provides a big boost for Kieran McKenna and Ipswich Town

Hirst has led the line for the Tractor Boys so far this season and certainly looks unlikely to want to give up that role - certainly given his fired-up nature after the late penalty at Birmingham.

But Akpom, unlike Hirst, has a proven goal record in the Championship, having bagged 28 goals in this league three seasons ago on Teesside.

Match fitness and sharpness are certainly where Hirst has the edge though, as McKenna alluded to there. Akpom played in both the Eredivisie and Ligue 1 last season, but struggled to find the back of the net, as well as nail-down a consistent starting spot at both Ajax and Lille, where he spent the second half of last campaign on loan.

He scored eight goals in 32 appearances in all competitions at the Johan Cruijff ArenA last season - with that actually only including three in the league, he got four in the UEFA Europa League.

Whilst Lille were only able to see him hit the back of the net three times at the Stade Pierre Mauroy, which isn't the most prolific return given that he made 14 league appearances, and one UEFA Champions League appearance, for Les Dogues across the second half of last season.