Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna says he learns a lot from watching his players operate in different positions on international duty.

The Blues have had 10 first team players away with their countries over the last few days, with several of them having been deployed in alternative roles to the ones they usually fulfil at club level.

Dara O'Shea once again played at right-back for the Republic of Ireland, Wes Burns played on the left wing for Wales, while Omari Hutchinson supplied a goal and two assists when playing on the right for England Under-21s.

Wes Burns played on the left for Wales, rather than his usual right wing role at Town (Image: PA) "I enjoy watching our players when they're away," said McKenna, whose side return to Premier League action with a home game against Everton on Saturday (3pm).

"There's an element of pride, but it's also a useful exercise I find because you learn a little bit more about them.

"You see them playing in different systems, different styles, under different instruction and alongside different team-mates. That helps you learn a little bit more about them.

"I don't often manage to get to many in person. It's that balance in international week between focusing on the players here and getting in some very important family time.

"But we watch all the games our players are involved in."

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