Heart of the Promotion Run: Ipswich Duo Undergo Surgery After Securing Premier League Return
Ipswich Town midfielders Azor Matusiwa and Jack Taylor have undergone successful post-season operations, the Championship club has confirmed.
The surgeries come just days after the Tractor Boys secured an immediate return to the Premier League, finishing second in the Championship behind Coventry City.
Details of the Procedures
The club released a statement confirming both operations were successful:
· Azor Matusiwa (28) : Underwent surgery on a muscle injury he managed during the run-in
· Jack Taylor (27) : Had a knee cartilage procedure
Both players will now spend the summer recuperating ahead of the 2026-27 Premier League campaign. Ipswich will discover their fixture list on June 19.
Matusiwa: Playing Through “Unbearable” Pain
The Dutch midfielder’s surgery addresses injuries he courageously played through during the promotion run-in. Matusiwa admitted to playing in significant discomfort, telling local media:
“Yeah, I played in a lot of discomfort, to be honest. The performance was not that good as before.”
The trouble began on Easter Monday against Birmingham City, where a severe dead leg forced him off in the first half. Manager Kieran McKenna confirmed at the time: “Azor has a dead leg. He picked it up really early in the game, which I think hampered him and hampered us.”
Rather than stepping aside, Matusiwa pushed through additional pain. “I was struggling a lot. I played with a hamstring [injury] for two games after the dead leg,” he revealed. “I’m so happy that I didn’t stop, that I kept going, because we knew how important the moment was. I had to play, whatever the cost.”
His sacrifice did not go unnoticed. Matusiwa was named both Supporters’ Player of the Year and Coaches’ Player of the Year after making 46 appearances in his debut campaign following his arrival from French club Rennes.
Taylor’s Knee Issue
Jack Taylor’s knee problem emerged late in the season. The Republic of Ireland international missed the 2-2 draw at Southampton due to a swollen knee. However, he returned to start the promotion-sealing 3-0 victory against QPR on the final day.
The 27-year-old made 42 appearances during the campaign, often earning playing time ahead of high-profile midfielders Jens Cajuste and Dan Neil.
Recovery and Premier League Preparation
The timing of the surgeries allows both players to complete their rehabilitation before pre-season training begins. The successful procedures ensure Matusiwa and Taylor will be fully fit for Ipswich’s Premier League return.
As one fan noted, the duo’s willingness to play through injuries demonstrates the “heroic performances” and “determination to succeed” that defined Ipswich’s promotion campaign.
Outlook: Both players are expected to recuperate over the summer and be ready for the start of the 2026-27 Premier League season.
