Blues quartet Luke Woolfenden, Josh Emmanuel, Ben Morris and Aaron Drinan could all feature for their loan sides in the FA Cup first round this weekend, while in the Scottish Premiership Tristan Nydam is hoping to keep his place in the St Johnstone starting line-up.
Woolfenden’s Swindon host York City, Morris’s Forest Green Rovers are away to Oxford United and Drinan’s Sutton United are at home to Slough Town tomorrow, while Emmanuel’s Shrewsbury welcome Salford City to Shropshire on Sunday.
Woolfenden, 20, has made nine appearances for the League Two Robins, scoring once, while Emmanuel, 21, has started 12 times for the League One Shrews.
Morris, 19, has been less involved for Forest Green with his three starts all having come in the Checkatrade Trophy and his only involvement in League Two has been a single appearance as a sub.
Drinan, 20, has made 11 starts and nine sub appearances for the Vanarama National League side, scoring one goal, an injury time winner in the FA Cup fourth round of qualifying tie at Wealdstone which ended 2-1.
Tristan Nydam made his first start for his loan side St Johnstone last weekend - and came close to scoring when he hit the bar - having previously made three appearances from the bench.
The 19-year-old hopes to keep his place when the Saints host Hamilton Academical in the Scottish Premiership tomorrow.
"It was great getting my first start,” he told the Perth Courier. "I wanted to enjoy it and I almost scored to top it off.
"I haven’t scored for Ipswich so I know adding goals to my locker is something I have to do.
"The shot that hit the bar was with my weaker foot. I just went for it and thought it was dipping in.
"I have managed to be patient. I have worked hard and the gaffer has rewarded me. I wasn’t match fit when I first came up in August and had been injured. So it was understandable the gaffer didn’t throw me straight in. Hopefully I was good enough to stay in the team for the game with Hamilton.”
He says he’s yet to speak to new Blues boss Paul Lambert: "We have got a new manager at Ipswich and things are a bit more positive. The lads have been rejuvenated and hopefully the results will improve.
"I haven’t spoken to Paul Lambert yet. That is understandable. He has more important things to handle. I’m sure he will get the club out of the position they are in.
"I’m surprised by what has happened because I was expecting the team to get off to a good start this season.
"There is quality and a lot of character in the dressing room so I am backing them to get out of the position they are in.”
Nydam is with St Johnstone until January, while Woolfenden, Emmanuel and Morris are on season-long loans which can be cut short in January if the Blues want them back at Portman Road. Drinan’s loan can be cut short at any time.
Also out on loan at present are defender Pat Webber at National League Braintree, midfielder Conor McKendry, who is at Lowestoft Town, young keeper Mitchell Ware, who is with Haverhill Rovers and striker Tommy Hughes, who is at Bury Town.