On-loan Manchester City winger Alex Henshall has done enough during his loan spell with Town to persuade boss Mick McCarthy to offer him a contract.

The 20-year-old, whose City terms are up this summer, joined the Blues on loan in March and was on the first-team bench on a number of occasions but without getting onto the field.

“I’ve spoken to him and I’ve spoken to his agent and I would like to offer him something,” McCarthy told BBC Radio Suffolk.

“He’s learning still, but he’s certainly got something to offer and I’ve left it with them now.”

Swindon-born Henshall was a youth player with his hometown club but moved to City when 16 in the summer of 2010 having been on the Robins’ bench twice. A number of other Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, had also shown interest.

The 5ft 10 in tall former England U16 and U17 international spent time on loan at Chesterfield making one start and six sub appearances during 2012/13 and made another league start, in which he scored his first senior goal, and another appearance from the bench while on loan at Bristol Rovers earlier this season.

Photo: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

tractordownsouth added 21:05 - May 5 Hopefully a Mick McCarthy gem. Good young, hungry creative player we need. Give him a few games in pre season with Marriot and we could have some good creative options either from the start or on the bench. Just need a full back, a couple of midfielders, maybe another one or two so our squad isn't too small. Good early building. COYB!
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arc added 21:05 - May 5 Are we sure Man City have completely released him? Otherwise they'll be due compensation, won't they?
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Michael11 added 21:14 - May 5 Good stuff. It'd be nice to see us add some young, hungry players with a point to prove. Hopefully he'll be the next Matt Jarvis or Michael Kightly that Mick and his scouts have uncovered before.
5

Marcus_Evans added 21:20 - May 5 No compensation if they release him. If they've offered him a deal the. It's another story
2

reaper added 21:20 - May 5 Strange of Mick to speak so openly about transfers that haven't gone through yet, I hope this means he is confident.
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Sindre94 added 21:21 - May 5 Looks a half decent winger this boy. Hope he gets some minutes next season! A pacy winger with skills isn't exactly something we have too much of at Town!!
8

Sindre94 added 21:21 - May 5 Looks a half decent winger this boy. Hope he gets some minutes next season! A pacy winger with skills isn't exactly something we have too much of at Town!!
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Jimmy86 added 21:24 - May 5 This is good news but would now make hunty staying less likely, which would be a shame. Hunty's work rate and enthusiasm is infectious and think he has more to offer. Hope henshall signs though!!!
2

StuartBrett8 added 21:27 - May 5 A bit odd to offer him terms without ever playing him, but as always I'll trust Mick
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Cloddyseedbed added 21:35 - May 5 Everybody seems very happy and excited by this then......has anybody ever seen him play? Will he ever get a chance to play if he does sign? Anderson was hailed as an exciting winger, I haven't seen it yet.
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Marcus added 21:40 - May 5 Judgement was made on his performance in training and in the reserves. A player doesn't need to play in the first team to be assessed by the coaching staff. It's not really the role of supporters to decide, which is what most want to do.
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MitchtheITFCman added 22:14 - May 5 Good. We finally have a pacey winger. Hopefully this doesn't mean will stop looking for players in a similar position. I have said it before and I will say it again: Chris Eagles. Lets he gets a chance in the first team unlike Marriott who has great potential.
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SamWhiteUK added 22:16 - May 5 Not fussed about Hunt at all, hasn't cut the mustard for me. Much rather have a young quick lad like this
6

rfretwell added 22:28 - May 5 So many young wingers have pace to burn but cant cross the ball at all consistently. If Hensall can that would be brilliant but then wouldn't a Prem club be in for him? If he cant hard work on the training pitch with TC will hopefully sort it. Presumably he tracks back well or Mick wouldn't be interested. Remembering Clive Woods from Towns finest era, he wasn't the fastest but had the tricks to put over consistently excellent crosses for Mariner etc

2

ArnieM added 22:35 - May 5 For all Hunts work rste and endeavour the guy seems incapable of keeping possession of the ball. Very frustrating attribute. We need width and pace kn thd winfs and Williams back on a season loan.
2

mow_the_lawn added 23:08 - May 5 Reading into MM's words it sounds like he's possibly offered a low value deal. Possibly just an initial year on a lower salary than he was on Man City with incentives to lengthen and improve it. Just depends. Could be a shrewd bit of business but wouldn't be surprised if another club offered him better and he didn't sign for us. I wonder if MM deliberately didn't play him in the last couple of games just so other clubs couldn't see what he was like in case there was interest.

0

algarvefan added 00:31 - May 6 Hope he accepts, I trust Mick's seasoned judgement on this one, he knows a decent player when he sees one! In terms of age we need a good blend of youth and experience of 'our own' players, we have had too many journeymen in recent years. In Mick we trust
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el_nino added 07:27 - May 6 Another example of why young players should think twice before jumping ship to one of the big clubs. If he had stayed at Swindon he could be close to 100 Football League appearances by now. As it stands he has very little league experience. It's a shame. Still, hopefully this can be to our benefit.
1

Luka added 08:14 - May 6 Coddy - MM and TC assessed him in training. Also, Anderson has had a decentish season, despite being benched for a fair amount of it, as he has scored 5 and got a few assists, though could do with a full back behind him and not Chambers.
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Surco72 added 08:27 - May 6 Why is everyone assuming end for Hunt , MM signed a young right back in Vesali last summer and he hasn't started a game , may be one for the future ? Algarve ... still don't see what Nouble brings to the table as regards to MM knowing a decent player when he sees one , hopefully he will kick on next season with goals to match his effort
1

jonbull88 added 08:49 - May 6 Had the pleasure of talking to Alex last week at the dinner and he said he was offered a new deal at city for an additional year but rejected it in search for regular football. So I guess there may be some compensation due?
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rollercoastertown added 09:44 - May 6 Cloddyseedbed - you are right, I agree completely, but we have to trust the judgement of MM and TC who have seen him day in day out. And there is nothing wrong with a little optimism, hoping a player we have not seen can change the world, I mean, I wonder how many that we're chanting Marriots name on Saturday have ever seen him play?
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Diamonddazzler91 added 09:48 - May 6 Aren't people forgetting the fact we have Hewitt to come back from Gillingham for the RB? Pace and raw talent- Henshall. Worth a punt, for sure. Hopefully no compensation.
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miltonsnephew added 11:36 - May 6 If he was genuinely offered a deal for another year by Man City surely there is something about him. Even if he was a bit part player in their under 21 team then he is of a good standard. MM has a record of picking up rough gems and turning them into diamonds, let's wait and see.
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TimmyH added 11:52 - May 6 Offered a contract and he hasn't been on the pitch...obviously shows the right attitude which means a lot to Mick. We desperately need a winger with pace and trickery and a good cross so fingers crossed he's the one to fill that left wing position.
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