Boss Roy Keane says the Blues will again utilise the loan system next season, although the main focus will be on making permanent signings. Last season, Sunderland midfielder Jack Colback was amongst the club’s top performers and was one of a number of loanees to come in over the course of the season.
Keane told the club site: "Some managers I have spoken to are not great lovers of the loan system and question whether players are 100 per cent committed when they come in.
"That's not been my experience at all at Ipswich. The loan players that came in last season all gave us a lift.
"We can't depend on loan players next year, though. You never know when they will be called back. I was dreading a call about Asmir Begovic and it came. "We will need one or two loan players no doubt, but our focus will be on permanent additions."
The Blues boss would love Colback to return for a second season, however, the 20-year-old is expected to be seen as part of Steve Bruce’s first team squad at the Stadium of Light and is unlikely to be loaned out again.
Town have already been linked with a loan move for Tottenham left winger Andros Townsend, however, the England U19 international appears to be viewed as an alternative if the Blues fail to land more senior targets such as Peterborough’s George Boyd or Charlton’s Nicky Bailey on a permanent basis.