Ex-Man Utd star Axel Tuanzebe nearly lost thumb in 'freak accident' which required emergency surgery ahead of Ipswich's loss at West Ham

According to the Daily Mail, the unusual injury took place while the Ipswich Town defender was engaged in a routine household chore of washing dishes. As he was cleaning, a glass shattered and one of the shards caused a deep laceration to his hand which forced him to undergo surgery. There were fears he could have lost his thumb altogether, but swift medical attention ensured he kept it.

Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna disclosed some of the details of Tuanzebe's injury over the weekend. The Premier League newcomers were without the defender during their recent 4-1 defeat to West Ham United as he was advised to rest after the surgery on his hand.

"He's done a hand injury, a very unfortunate accident," McKenna explained.

"He's had surgery and will be out for a while. It's not going to be a couple of weeks, probably longer. There are still discussions with the specialists. He's naturally a miss with the way he's started the season. He's going to be out for a little while."

Since Ipswich's promotion to the Premier League, Tuanzebe has been a crucial part of their defence, starting in all six of the team's matches before this accident sidelined him. His strong performances made him a standout player, and his absence is undoubtedly a significant loss for the team. However, the two-week international break gives him valuable time to recover and miss fewer games.

Though Tuanzebe’s injury initially raised fears about the potential long-term damage to his hand, especially the possibility of losing his thumb, the surgical team’s quick action has left room for optimism. However, it remains to be seen if he will be available when the Tractor Boys host Everton at Portman Road on October 19.