Rotherham manager Paul Warne says it’s Blues boss Mick McCarthy’s prerogative to bring 12-goal Kieffer Moore - who has scored more times than anyone else in the top four divisions this season - back to Portman Road in January if he wants to.
Moore, 25, is due to remain with the Millers for the duration of the campaign but with the Blues able to cut his spell short at the halfway point if they wish to do so.
Speaking last week, McCarthy indicated that if Moore continues to score as he has during the first three months of the season then it’s likely he’ll bring him back to Suffolk when the window opens.
"Mick can do as he pleases, Kieffer is his player,” Warne told the Yorkshire Post. "He’s kindly loaned him to me.
"I’d like Kieffer to stay, but Mick holds all the aces really. If he wants him to go back to play for him, Kieffer goes with my blessing. He’s been brilliant for me. I’d love to keep him, but I’m also realistic enough to accept he is Mick’s player, not mine.
"In the same way, if Mick had one of mine and that player was ripping it up and scoring for fun, I’d kindly tell Mick I’d pull him back.
"Kieffer’s come here as part of his development. If Mick sees he’s a better player than he was, he might want to use him. I have to respect what Mick wants. I’ll probably touch base with him this week.”
He added: "I’d love to keep him. But if his future is elsewhere, then we have to look for other people to fill the hole he leaves.
"If he keeps performing the way he has - I didn’t think he was the best against Gillingham [despite scoring as the Millers lost 3-1], to be honest - and the lad wants to stay and Ipswich don’t want him, then obviously I’ll bid for him. But there are a lot of ifs, buts and maybes really.”
Moore, who cost the Blues £20,000 when he was signed from Forest Green Rovers in January, is contracted to Town until next summer but with the club having an option for a further season.