Brighton and Hove Albion have upped the pressure on Town regarding keeper Christian Walton by activating the recall clause in his season-loan deal, meaning that the 26-year-old could return to the Amex Stadium next week.
The season-long agreement reached by the Blues and Seagulls in the summer allowed the Premier League side to bring Walton back in January but with seven days’ notice, an option they utilised this morning.
That means that Walton currently remains at Portman Road and will be available for Saturday’s game at Bolton.
Town and Brighton have been in talks regarding the Wadebridge-born glovesman’s future since before the transfer window opened.
The Sussex club’s latest move appears to be designed to put pressure on the Blues to get a deal done sooner rather than later, while they are also likely to be courting interest from elsewhere having looked to move the former Plymouth youngster to a Championship side in the summer.
Walton is out of contract in the summer when he would be able to leave on a free transfer. January represents the Seagull's last chance to achieve a fee for a player who joined them in 2013.
"Even if no agreement is reached over the next week, Walton could always return to Portman Road at a later stage during January if the clubs are subsequently able to do a deal and he hasn't joined another side.
Walton has been one of Town's best performers since joining in August.
When asked about his future following the FA Cup replay defeat to Barrow, he was unable to comment but said he was happy at Portman Road.
"I think that sort of thing is best left to the hierarchy within the clubs,” he said. "I’ve nothing to say on that at the minute because I don’t really know my situation. All I do know is that I’m playing for Ipswich Town and I’m really enjoying my football here.
"I think my form’s been good but I don’t think that’s for me to talk about at this moment, after a 2-0 defeat at Barrow.
"As long as I can keep doing as much as I can for the team within games then hopefully it spirals and has a knock-on effect throughout the team.
"I will always want to be doing better and will continue to work hard and apply myself. This is a great football club to be playing for and I love playing for the club.
"This is a massive football club and any player within the divisions would want to come and play for Ipswich.
"You’ve seen the players that we’ve recruited in the summer from higher divisions and you can see from the support that we get how good the club is. I’m really enjoying my time here.”
Walton is believed to have a strong relationship with new goalkeeper-coach Rene Gilmartin, the pair having been at Plymouth together early in his career.