Town boss Kieran McKenna says Gillingham are really pleased with on-loan centre-half Elkan Baggott, but fellow central defender Corrie Ndaba has had a frustrating spell while with his loan side Burton, while Ben Morris, Matt Healy and Tete Yengi are being given some time off following their loan spells in Sweden, the Republic of Ireland and Finland.

Baggott, 20, has now made 17 starts and one sub appearance for the League Two Gills and helped them to an on-penalties Carabao Cup victory at Premier League Brentford on Tuesday following a 1-1 draw.

The Indonesia international has scored two goals, remarkably a third of those netted by the Kent side in the league this season.

Asked whether he has been getting good reports from Neil Harris, McKenna said: “Very much so, they are really pleased with him.

“We've watched all of his games and he's getting the things we wanted him to get from the loan and improving and learning with every game. Hopefully, that process will continue.”

While Baggott is enjoying a successful spell, Republic of Ireland U21 call-up Ndaba, 22, has made only one Papa Johns Trophy appearance since joining the Brewers in the summer with injuries having kept him sidelined.

“That's the short story, really,” McKenna reflected. “Very disappointing and unfortunate. I think he got injured very soon after or maybe on his first day after arriving and has had a few setbacks since then.

“I think he came back and played one match but then had a separate issue and then in the recovery from that has had another issue again.

“I don't think any of the injuries have been very serious, but he's had some muscular problems that have stopped him getting a run of health and a run of momentum, so he's been back here for a few days for his recovery and assessment across the season.

“But in general, he's getting his treatment there and hopefully he can get back to full fitness and get back on the pitch.”

Meanwhile, 23-year-old striker Morris has completed his season with GAIS, helping them to the Ettan Södra (Swedish third tier) title, midfielder Healy, 20, has ended his stint with hometown club Cork City having been part of the team which won the League of Ireland First Division (second tier) and Australian frontman Yengi, 21, has been named Player of the Year at his loan club VPS following the completion of Finnish season.

“I think all three are having a recovery period now, so they are all having a holiday,” McKenna said.

“Well deserved after good seasons, so they are all going to have a holiday now for the next few weeks.

“And I think in and around the start of December or end of November, they'll come back in the building and we'll have the discussions with them as a club about what the next appropriate steps will be.”

He says the club have kept a watching brief on them during their spells: “Of course, the same as all of our loan players. We'll watch them on video, we'll try and get people over to watch them live as and when possible and we'll have reports and communication with them and the the club they are at, so we're fully informed of how they've been doing.”

Photo: Matchday Images

PortmanTerrorist added 00:40 - Nov 12 It will be interesting to see if we will give any of the returning players a chance. Morris has done well, was always a talent and is different to what we have in the building, and Yengi is getting attention so may be a case of play him or let him go. The good news is the bar is high now, so keeping players to make up the numbers is just not going to happen under our current manager....and quite right too.

1

Linkboy13 added 09:27 - Nov 12 Very unfortunate for Ndaba who was looking good after his loan spell at Salford and was probably ahead of Baggott in terms of first team potential. Baggott is undoubtedly a good prospect but just needs to toughen up a bit. Don't think Morris has much future at Ipswich at the moment otherwise he would be playing a much higher standard than he is at the moment. He needs to be playing National league level at least . The fact that league clubs were not keen to take him on sums things up im afraid but i hope im wrong and he makes it at Ipswich.

1

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls