Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has questioned whether Jonny Williams, who joined the Blues for a fourth loan spell at the end of last month, has a future at Selhurst Park.
Wales international Williams, 22, has spent much of the last three seasons out on loan with Town, the MK Dons and Nottingham Forest and most recently played a league game for the Eagles in September 2014. He is contracted to the South Londoners until the summer of 2018.
"We have almost had a discussion in that does Jonny need a new environment?” Pardew told London News Online.” Does he need a new start? It just seems to not be working here.
"Jonny and I just can’t seem to come together. In pre-season he’s fit and then gets injured again. It was a terrible tackle at Farnborough.
"We are at deadline day and I’m looking at my numbers and thinking I can’t see Jonny getting a game. I can’t keep him here and have him as a substitute.
"Sometimes luck plays a part. I don’t think I’ve seen him play three continuous games since I’ve been here, so it’s almost impossible for me to really think this time he should have stayed.
"The more chance I’ve got is to send him to Ipswich with the same clause as Sullay [Kaikai, who joined Brentford on loan] to have a look. They are two players who, potentially, could boost our season.”
The deal which saw Williams, who is expected to be back from the ankle injury he suffered at Farnborough in pre-season in October, join Town for the season is reported to allow Palace to recall him in January.