Town boss Mick McCarthy believes Arsenal would be open to midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles rejoining the Blues and that it’s down to the player and his representatives whether he returns to Portman Road for a second loan spell. The Blues boss has played down the chances of Tyrone Mings returning on loan and wouldn’t be drawn on speculation that Burnley winger Michael Kightly might be on his radar.

Asked whether 18-year-old Maitland-Niles returning to Portman Road is possible, McCarthy said: “I don’t know. That would be down to him. I think he’ll be a much better player this year for the 12 months he had in the Championship.

“We all saw what a good player he was at the start of the season, for the first half. I think he found it tough, so it’s up to him and his representatives.

“I think Arsenal would be more than happy for him to come back. I think they’d be pleased to see him to come back.”

Maitland-Niles, who made 23 starts and nine sub appearances for the Blues last season, scoring twice, is currently away with the England U19s at the European Championships in Germany.

Regarding links with Burnley wideman Kightly, who played for McCarthy at Wolves, the Town boss said: “The thing is, as soon as I say I haven’t got any wingers and I’d like some wingers anybody who is available or might be available I get linked with, especially my ex-players. But as you know, I wouldn’t comment whether it’s right or wrong.”

On reports claiming former Blue Tyrone Mings could return to Portman Road on loan from AFC Bournemouth as he makes his comeback from the serious knee injury which ended his 2015/16, McCarthy says it’s unlikely.

“I don’t know if Tyrone mooted that because I think he sees that he’s probably unlikely to get in there,” he added.

“I think he said, ‘Maybe I could go back and play at Ipswich’, but I’ve got a left-back that’s done really well for me and taking one on loan when Jonas Knudsen really was excellent last year and Myles Kenlock, who was excellent in the last two games of the season, against Derby I thought he was terrific, would be counterproductive for the players I’ve got.

"Unlikely that one. And he’s not going to be fit, maybe until December anyway.”

Photo: Action Images

jas0999 added 12:39 - Jul 11 ... Forgot to mention I completely agree with Mick regarding left back though. An extremely strong position for us. I really rate Kenlock, whilst Knudsen has improved.
2

tractorshark added 13:15 - Jul 11 Much has been made about seven fewer faces but, with the exception of Fraser, who will we realistically miss? I agree we need additions but our youngsters should comfortably fill the gaps left by the likes of Foley, Varney, Toure etc.
2

gibbo added 13:32 - Jul 11 True but you can't expect a 16 or 17 year old to play 30 plus matches, we need at least 3 new signings.
4

Monkey_Blue added 13:34 - Jul 11 This fallacy of a smaller squad is ridiculous. We now have the likes of Dozzell, Kenlock, Emmanuel, McDonnell, Robinson etc who wouldn't have been seen as first team squad this time last year, plus the people who moan about this are also the ones who complain we don't give our young players a chance. Could it be that the fruits of bringing Klug back are now beginning to be seen? How many lads signed pro contracts this summer? I recall Bloomfield, westlake, and three others from their year signing pro.... 5 was seen as an exceptional class of youth players. I think MM compared to Keane and Jewell is far smarter in the transfer market.

3

Monkey_Blue added 13:37 - Jul 11 Also the signing of Webster, Digby who was only with us the back end of the season and to an extent bishop and MCG being fit will be like 4 new squad members given the number of games they played last year. I would love Fraser back and think AMN will be better for last year and no one can doubt his talent.... Wenger thinks he can be a top player and he knows better than most.

3

gibbo added 13:51 - Jul 11 Again monkey blue, I agree we have a good group of youngsters coming though but look at bishop, he played well the season before last tried to hard in the summer and pre season then gets a injury that keeps him out for the best part of a year
1

lightingblue added 13:58 - Jul 11 Headline news. I'm available for a small fee. Only would demand 10k a week and a greasy burger from behind the north stand. Would even consider painting the turnstiles if need be. Maybe wd40 due to them getting g rusty due to lack of move,ent with the attendances going down
2

Surco72 added 15:43 - Jul 11 Dids hasn't played a full season in the last 8 years and wont this season . Bishop will be played out of position to accommodate others , Digby wont play , so Webster only real new addition to the squad that hasn't got promotion in last two seasons . Thought our dealings last summer made us weaker than the season before and lack of investment so far puts us further behind this season

3

TimmyH added 16:36 - Jul 11 AMN back!?! - c'mon the club has got to show a bit more ambition than this, he started the season off fairly well but by October/November he went AWOL.
1

airliner added 19:08 - Jul 11 Tyrone won't be back until XMAS so won't happen
1

carlisleaway added 19:20 - Jul 11 That's a desperate call if we want AMN back, not good enough over a full season. Can count on one hand the number of decent games he played for us last season. Looks like Marcus Evans is not looking for a promotion push......
1

thebeat added 21:03 - Jul 11 Off we go again. He thinks Knudsen was excellent last season. Dear God....
4

stiffy501 added 21:21 - Jul 11 Sorry but I see nothing in this as improving the team, Fraser yes but this lad no, simply not good enough
1

braveblue added 21:34 - Jul 11 'Knudsen was excellent'. You just couldn't make it up. He really does not like reality does MM.
3

BrettenhamBlue added 00:04 - Jul 12 Monkey Blue Having seen many of the u21 and u18 games am in agreement that Dozzell, Kenlock and Emmanuel are all ready for first team action, The others are a very long way from being ready.
1

blue_moon09 added 17:36 - Jul 12 The arm chair fans/wannabe managers on this site have been in melt down over the summer it hilarious.. cant wait for the East Anglian derby at Portaloo Road it going to be a long hard season league 1 beckons.....OTBC
-1

Razor added 10:02 - Jul 13 Same old faces, same old tune----very sad and disappointing. Will never forgive AMN for finishing our season at Bolton----grrrrrrr!!!
1

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