Fulham are reported to have given midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe the go-ahead to hold talks with Wigan Athletic regarding a loan deal as well as Town. TWTD revealed that that the Blues were looking to re-sign the 21-year-old on Friday.

According to Sky Sports News, the Latics are also interested, viewing Tunnicliffe, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Portman Road, as a replacement for Ben Watson, who recently suffered a broken leg.

We understand Tunnicliffe has already spoken to Town about returning to the Blues less than a month after his previous loan spell was cut short to allow Manchester United to sell him to Fulham.

Since then, the former England U16 and U17 international has started two Cottagers games but the manager who signed him, his former Old Trafford mentor René Meulensteen, has been sacked.

New boss Felix Magath left him out of the 18 which drew 1-1 with West Brom on Saturday and is expected to look to more experienced players as he tries to keep Fulham in the Premier League.

The German has said that his squad is currently too large and needs trimming: “If we have too many players, then we have too many influences.”

Town look in need of central midfield cover in the short-term with Luke Hyam currently out with the hamstring injury he suffered in the game against Blackpool, while manager Mick McCarthy may also want to increase the competition in his midfield in the final months of the campaign.

Questioned about his interest in bringing Tunnicliffe back to Town on Saturday, McCarthy was keeping his cards close to his chest: “We’ll see. We’ve just lost to Leicester, it’s not the end of the world, they’ll p--- [this division], they’re streets in front of the rest of us. We’ll regroup on Monday and see and get ready for Birmingham.”

During his spell at Portman Road earlier in the season Tunnicliffe made 24 starts and five sub appearances without scoring.

Photo: Action Images

Surco72 added 10:17 - Feb 24 Why are we chasing another midfielder who doesn't score or create ? Oh yeah he works hard on the pitch and is really good at training
12

Bluetone added 10:24 - Feb 24 I fully expect to see McCarthy trying to sign the English rugby pack. Not for their footballing ability but because they fit the McCarthy style of play - they are really huge and are good at running around a lot.
2

Jimmy86 added 10:34 - Feb 24 Let them have him, didnt score or really chip in with many assists whilst he was here, we have enough midfielders who dont score or create anything of note for our strikers at the club already. He can then at least do the same for wigan, who are chasing the play offs like ourselves. We need a creative attack minded midfielder who also knows how to find the back of the net!!!

16

Robbie12345 added 10:52 - Feb 24 But knowing our luck, if he goes to Wigan, he'll score a hatrick against us, have 10 by the end of the season and get Wigan premoted.
5

Garv added 11:14 - Feb 24 With Tunnicliffe he can complete the set in midfield- Green Skuse Tabb Tunnicliffe. I can't wait!
4

yorksblue added 11:18 - Feb 24 Any chance of getting a striker? We don't seem to have anyone worthy of the title at present.
4

marco007 added 11:18 - Feb 24 This just gets more and more bizarre! Unless there is a possible permanent deal then why on earth do we want to give a loanee game time until the end of season when we should be developing our own players?? Surely yet another non goal scoring midfielder is not required?? If we are heading for the loan route Just wish we had picked up a decent, striker, like Bamford from Chelsea....or better still give young Jack some game time

7

MCGOODERZ added 11:21 - Feb 24 wow, some people are idiots. A couple of winnable draws and a loss at the runaway leaders and they go a bit silly. Tunnicliffe is no world beater and I wasn't particularly fussed when he left but anyone can see we've lacked presence in there with him gone and Hyam out.
9

blueherts added 11:57 - Feb 24 BRING BACK JACK !! Will he be the answer ? maybe not , but as a positive move ( and a sensible footballing one ) we have nothing to lose MM and DM should never play up front together Though I did like it when he nearly sliced Schmiechel in two
3

soapy added 12:07 - Feb 24 I saw Wigan v Brighton on Saturday and they looked a class act. I fear that with promotion a real possibility with Wigan he may take his chances there for the rest of the season
2

Surco72 added 12:07 - Feb 24 Our midfield has lacked presence and creativity all season not just the last three games hence our left back leads the assists and chances created , bringing someone back in who has contributed to that after we have just signed another midfielder would seem strange when we have received an injury to our creative scoring forward ? And anyone who thinks we should have won against Barnsley or Blackpool really are idiots as both teams will feel hard done by that they didn't get all three points and we were really poor

2

Kesgraveblue57 added 12:13 - Feb 24 Wigan is near where Ryan lives! he is better than some we have, but not quite good enough for the future good luck to the lad
1

NoelTheDub added 12:37 - Feb 24 Paul Green is an out and out midfielder and brought in to replace Ryan when he left but our manager drops Anderson or Taylor puts Green out there and plays Tabb in the middle who wasnt getting a game.Mick you have a decent championship midfielder play him there for godsake and if this is true stop looking for more dont cross the half way line players.Every day we are linked with the same type of guys and it not down to money it the bloody manager ..

13

blues1 added 12:40 - Feb 24 I have 3 things to say about this. 1. don't see the point as weve signed green to replace him, who once fully match fit(and hopefully played in his right position), will do a good job for us. 2. we'll now see if he was being honest before when he said we the only championship side hed go on loan to, when his original loan came to an end. 3 I don't actually see the point in using money to loan anyone else this season at all, as we not gonna go up or down. just save the money to strengthen in the summer. go with what weve got and see where it takes us

9

NSL added 12:45 - Feb 24 He might not appear to do much on the pitch (by way of goals and assists) but I dont think it's a coincidence that performances have been nothing short of atrocious since he left.
5

oldelsworthyfan added 12:46 - Feb 24 Tunnicliffe back.....please NO! He's already been replaced by Green. With our chances of reaching the play-offs disappearing, isn't it time we gave real opportunities (like Nouble or Tabb have each had) to the likes of Taylor, Wordsworth and even Marriott?
5

PSGBlue added 13:41 - Feb 24 Strange, this story appears just as the Playoff Final date (24th May) comes within the 93 day emergency loan window. I do wonder if Tunnicliffe has been waiting to see if a potential playoff team would make an approach. If I was Tunnicliffe, I would head to Wigan. I believe that he is not Cup-tied and there is also a possibility of Playoff Semi's and a final at Wembley. What have we got to offer?

1

Beattiesballbag added 14:03 - Feb 24 There is no way we are getting to the play offs so might as well get back all our players on loan & give them the rest of the season to gain experience whatever the results & try a couple of hungry players out from the lower divisions on loan............Tunnicliffe has had his chance & is not good enough.............unless your happy with mid table every season.

4

brian_a_mul added 14:08 - Feb 24 Tunners could be a free transfer signing for us in the summer! Im sure he did well out of the transfer in terms of wages and signing on fees but I do feel a bit sorry for him that Muleensteen was sacked soon after he signed.
1

runningout added 15:31 - Feb 24 Tunnicliffe isnt thick.. Would enjoy his football more at Wigan. Our current play is 'Work in progress' apparently :-/
0

Sindre94 added 15:52 - Feb 24 Tunners was decent while he was here and if I'd been the manager of ITFC I would get him on loan and boot Green back to Bellend Road. He may not score alot, but he's e decent young lad with a lot of potential, unlike Ginge.
-1

raycrawfordswig added 16:17 - Feb 24 Not a priority Goalkeeper, goal scoring player required . this team has no creativity and no one capable of scoring. Average team Boring football and negative tactics.
3

NoelTheDub added 16:23 - Feb 24 Sindre94 PaulGreen will do a good job for us if played in his proper position Iv no doubt about that a real championship midfielder NOT and never will be a winger.He came on when Luke got injured a few weeks ago in the middle played well and nearly won the game for us,since then hes played out wide so you cant judge him there.For some unknown reason MM puts weaknesses in our team every week for example,Chambers right back,Green on the wing.Tabb in the centre,and no goals Nouble up front.If anyone on here agrees with this formation please tell me why or explain MM thinking.

5

TheresOnly1JimmyJuan added 17:04 - Feb 24 Tunners was a brilliant loanee but he is no jimmy juan
0

TimmyH added 17:04 - Feb 24 I find it strange there is a possibility of yet another 'samey same' type midfielder which we already know about coming back to PR on loan but MM almost instantly ruling out any loan player coming in to replace McGoldrick which certainly could be a problem for the rest of the season if SEB struggles with his fitness plus Micks discord with Taylor starting.
2

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