Town boss Mick McCarthy says midfielder Jack Collison won’t be staying with the Blues beyond the end of his current short-term deal which is up later this month.
The 26-year-old former West Ham man joined Town in September following a trial but hasn’t made a full appearance having suffered various injuries.
The Wales international is currently sidelined with a knee problem which he picked up playing for the U21s last month.
"Jack’s injured, Jack won’t be staying, sadly he’s got an injury,” McCarthy confirmed at this evening’s PLC AGM.
The Blues manager wouldn’t be drawn on the future of any of his other short-term signings or loanees, although said Darren Ambrose, Sean St Ledger and Noel Hunt are all keen to extend their spells.
Asked about the prospect of Tyrone Mings and David McGoldrick staying beyond the January transfer window, he said there are no guarantees except that they’re both on lengthy contracts and that Marcus Evans was prepared to turn £7.5 million from Leicester down for McGoldrick in the summer.
Questioned about possible additions to his squad in January, he says he’s delighted with the players he’s got and isn’t looking to replace any of them, pointing out that Town would have to spend a lot of money to improve on them.
However, he added that he would be keen to sign Jonny Williams on loan from Crystal Palace for a third time should he be available. The Wales U21 international is currently injured with his current loan spell up at the end of the month.
The Town boss cited Derby, Middlesbrough and Bournemouth as the amongst the better teams in the division, also giving a mention to fellow dark horses Brentford and feeling that the likes of Cardiff and Fulham could still make a challenge.
McCarthy said he’s pleased to draw Southampton, who are currently fourth in the Premier League, in the FA Cup third round: "I think it’s a great draw for us, I would have loved it to have been at home.
"Believe me, I didn’t want Accrington Stanley. Who? Exactly!" he joked. "I didn’t want one of those teams, I’d prefer to test ourselves [against a Premier League side like Southampton].”
Asked whether he would field his strongest team, he added: "We haven’t got a game in the following week and I would have thought that the lads would want to play.
"I’ll see what we’ve got. We’ve got a squad of 21 operating at the minute and we’ll see who’s fit, who’s ready and we’ll go and take them on.”
Meanwhile, Town's U21s are in action against Brentford at Playford Road on Tuesday afternoon (KO 1pm).