Town full-back Dan Harding is unlikely to return to loan club Southend, according to their manager Steve Tilson. The former Brighton and Leeds man returned to the Blues at the end of his half-season spell earlier in the week.

Tilson said: "Dan's been recalled by Ipswich now. His contract is up at the end of the season and I think Ipswich will look to get some money in for him during January.

"I don't think he will be coming to Southend again, but we wish him well because he's a great lad and he was excellent for us when he was here.”

Harding was recently linked with Reading, managed by Steve Coppell, who was the defender's boss at Brighton, and a move to a Championship club who are able to pay a fee looks more likely.

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