Town boss Mick McCarthy has reiterated that there is no chance of loanee Tom Lawrence leaving the Blues during the January transfer window, despite being aware of interest from Cardiff, QPR and Leeds United in the Leicester man, while several other sides including Sunderland, Newcastle and Derby have also been linked.
"I spoke to Leicester, I spoke to [Foxes director of football] Jon Rudkin the other day and as far as they’re concern he’s with us,” McCarthy said.
"We’ve a commitment to them to the end of the season and they’ve a commitment to us.
"And the only way that can be broken if we say ‘We don’t want Tom Lawrence’. Well that’s going to happen, isn’t it?
"There are clubs interested. I think Cardiff are interested, I was told that QPR are interested and I’ve also been told that Leeds were interested and I also spoke to Leeds and told them that he’s with us to the end of the season so they’re kind of pissing in the wind. It’s not going to happen.
"And to be fair to Tom, he’ll have his choice of clubs, I think he’ll have a really good choice at the end of the season and I don’t see any reason why a Premier League club wouldn’t come and take him, he’s at a Premier League club at the moment.
Marked by two opponents? Tight angle? 😮 It doesn't matter to @Official_ITFC midfielder @TomLawrence99! pic.twitter.com/0di3TexWmi– Football On 5 (@FootballOn5) January 28, 2017
"Leicester haven’t received any bids. He’s with us. No way, any how will I be sanctioning Tom Lawrence going anywhere else. That categorical enough?”
Lawrence scored the eighth goal of his loan spell as Town drew 1-1 at Preston this afternoon.