Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has confirmed that goalkeeper Alex Palmer will undergo scans after suffering a calf injury during the 3-0 defeat to Charlton Athletic on Tuesday night.

It was an evening to forget for the Tractor Boys, who once again saw their defensive frailties exposed. Despite controlling the first half, Ipswich were blown away after the break as Charlton struck three times in a ruthless 20-minute spell. Sonny Carey and Macauley Gillesphey found the net in quick succession before Miles Leaburn sealed the victory.

To make matters worse, Palmer limped off midway through the first half, forcing McKenna to call upon Christian Walton from the bench. The 28-year-old shot-stopper could only watch from the sidelines as his team slumped to a second straight loss.

Ipswich now face a quick turnaround as they prepare to take on West Bromwich Albion—Palmer’s former club—this weekend. Speaking to the East Anglian Daily Times after the match, McKenna admitted the initial signs were not encouraging.

“It looks like he’s pulled a muscle in his calf,” McKenna said. “It didn’t look great with how heavily he was limping. He’ll have scans, and we’ll know more once we get the results.”

Palmer’s injury comes as a major setback for Ipswich. Since his arrival in January, he has brought much-needed stability to a position that had been a persistent issue for McKenna’s side. His consistency and leadership at the back have made him one of the few guaranteed starters in the current lineup.

Losing him—especially at a time when Ipswich are desperate to rediscover form and confidence—could prove costly. The team is still searching for rhythm following a summer of significant change, and Palmer’s absence may disrupt their defensive cohesion further.

In his place, Christian Walton is expected to step in. Once a key figure during Ipswich’s 2023 promotion campaign, Walton has struggled for minutes since returning from a long-term injury. However, this spell could provide him with a valuable opportunity to remind fans and coaches of his quality.

If Palmer is ruled out for Saturday’s clash with West Brom—or longer—Walton will be eager to seize the moment and re-establish himself as a dependable option between the sticks.