Boss Mick McCarthy says he expects Crystal Palace not to extend Jonny Williams’s one-month loan with Town when it expires on Monday.
However, he'd be delighted if Eagles boss Tony Pulis — who watched Tuesday’s 2-1 victory over Derby — were to allow the 20-year-old to stay at Portman Road and hopes their 1-0 win against Chelsea today might have made a difference to their plans.
"I thought it would be a certainty that they’d take him back the way he played, to be honest with you,” McCarthy admitted.
"I thought he’d be going. I thought it was a knock-on certainty and the only chance that he doesn’t go back is if their result today has made everybody think slightly differently.
"Maybe Tony feels that way. I’ll certainly be having a chat with him. He’s not our player and you’re always in danger of losing one [who is on loan]."
The Blues boss says it’s no surprise that the Portman Road faithful have taken to Williams: "Why wouldn’t they, he’s been terrific. It’s much maligned the loan window but why would you deprive him of playing, a player like that?
"He comes out and he plays for a Championship side and he rips it up and it inspires us and it inspires him.
"If he does go back he’ll be enthused by it, and he’ll do exactly the same in the Premier League, by the way, I’ve no doubt.
"As much as it’s much maligned, I think it’s great for young players like him to come out and play what is far more meaningful football than the U21 league, and you know my feelings on that. We’ll see.”
How far does he think the Wales international can go in the game? "Anything he wants to do, Jonny, he’s got terrific ability. As long as he doesn’t get kicked off the pitch all the time, and he takes a few bumps.
"He’ll be a top player because he has the right attitude towards it. He plays with a smile on his face and he’s brave. He’s brave with the ball, he’s brave without the ball and it’s been lovely to have him around. Hopefully we’ll keep him, but I suspect we might not.”