Town boss Mick McCarthy believes Arsenal would be open to midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles rejoining the Blues and that it’s down to the player and his representatives whether he returns to Portman Road for a second loan spell. The Blues boss has played down the chances of Tyrone Mings returning on loan and wouldn’t be drawn on speculation that Burnley winger Michael Kightly might be on his radar.
Asked whether 18-year-old Maitland-Niles returning to Portman Road is possible, McCarthy said: "I don’t know. That would be down to him. I think he’ll be a much better player this year for the 12 months he had in the Championship.
"We all saw what a good player he was at the start of the season, for the first half. I think he found it tough, so it’s up to him and his representatives.
"I think Arsenal would be more than happy for him to come back. I think they’d be pleased to see him to come back.”
Maitland-Niles, who made 23 starts and nine sub appearances for the Blues last season, scoring twice, is currently away with the England U19s at the European Championships in Germany.
Regarding links with Burnley wideman Kightly, who played for McCarthy at Wolves, the Town boss said: "The thing is, as soon as I say I haven’t got any wingers and I’d like some wingers anybody who is available or might be available I get linked with, especially my ex-players. But as you know, I wouldn’t comment whether it’s right or wrong.”
On reports claiming former Blue Tyrone Mings could return to Portman Road on loan from AFC Bournemouth as he makes his comeback from the serious knee injury which ended his 2015/16, McCarthy says it’s unlikely.
"I don’t know if Tyrone mooted that because I think he sees that he’s probably unlikely to get in there,” he added.
"I think he said, ‘Maybe I could go back and play at Ipswich’, but I’ve got a left-back that’s done really well for me and taking one on loan when Jonas Knudsen really was excellent last year and Myles Kenlock, who was excellent in the last two games of the season, against Derby I thought he was terrific, would be counterproductive for the players I’ve got.
"Unlikely that one. And he’s not going to be fit, maybe until December anyway.”