TWTD understands that Town are weighing up a move for former loanee Ryan Tunnicliffe, who is a free agent following his release by Fulham.

A number of other clubs are also eyeing the one-time Manchester United trainee with Scottish giants Rangers having been linked along with Town, Reading, Huddersfield, Brentford, QPR, Cardiff and Nottingham Forest in March.

The 24-year-old previously spent time on loan with the Blues in the first half of the 2013/14 season when with the Red Devils, making 24 starts and five sub appearances without scoring.

The Heywood-born midfielder, who we understand would be keen on a permanent move to the Blues having enjoyed his time at Portman Road, was due to stay with Town for the whole season but was sold to Fulham in the January window.

Tunnicliffe’s last game for the Cottagers was in October last year and he joined Wigan for his second loan spell with the Latics in January, making eight starts and two sub appearances, scoring once.

When with United - for whom he made only two League Cup sub appearances - the former England U16 and U17 international was also on loan at Peterborough and Barnsley, while his first stint with Wigan came at the end of 2013/14 shortly after joining Fulham and he spent the first half of the following campaign at Blackburn.

Town boss Mick McCarthy will be looking to add to his experienced central midfield options over the summer - last season's loan star Emyr Huws is also a target - with Jonathan Douglas having been released and Kevin Bru expected to return to France after being told he can find another club.

Photo: Action Images

Mullet added 12:32 - Jun 17 The issue is if it's an either/or. His wage expectations will be significantly lower than the last time we tried to sign him given how he's not found a home. If Huws is prohibitively expensive then Tunnicliffe is a decent option and you have to remember just how bad the side was when he was in and out of it. Ideally though we need CM's who have legs to get up and down the pitch and not rely solely on Skuse and Ward being more consistent this season. Numbers are crucial and I don't think this is a potentially bad move for either party.

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Wickets added 12:38 - Jun 17 Well i suppose if we cant get quality we have to make do with energy and he does bring that to the table. I must admit i am hoping that some time in the future we stumble on a decent passing centre mid. Am i holding my breath while Mick is in charge? maybe he still hasn't got the budget he needs for one?
2

bobble added 12:52 - Jun 17 too ugly..
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midastouch added 13:14 - Jun 17 I can't remember that much about him to be truthful which is a worry in itself! Is it because he did so little I can barely remember him (quite possible) or is because my memory cells are going down the tubes (equally as possible!)? Whatever the answer, not exactly thrilled about this one, I'd like to think we have midfield players just as good in our U23 team if not what's the point of having an U23 team if none of them ever get given a chance!? I suppose as cover he'd be alright but we desperately need more than utility players to make a significant improvement on last season.

3

midastouch added 13:19 - Jun 17 How about Owen Garvan? Could he be a potential bargain able to step up a couple of leagues or has he faded significantly since Keane condemned him to the lower leagues? I don't see much of the Retirement Home XI down the A12 so not sure if he'd be the answer or not. I do remember he looked very promising for us when he broke into the team and had a lovely eye for a pass. He was even getting linked with the likes of Liverpool or Everton I believe at the time. Maybe he's slipped a lot since then but he did look like he had some pedigree back when we had him before Keane killed his confidence and maybe he could resurrect his career at a higher level again.

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christiand added 14:21 - Jun 17 No thanks, give the youngsters a chance if this is the case. We need a real good quality signing in our central midfield, not a bang average Championship player.
3

kingy4978 added 14:35 - Jun 17 Maybe just maybe he could replace skuse in the holding role
2

OwainG1992 added 14:43 - Jun 17 I don't have a problem with the lad and if wants to play for us fair dos. But if we can't get Emyr I would rather see Bish Dozzell Grant Wards of the world given a chance in the centre of midfield.
2

gosblue added 14:56 - Jun 17 He was ok. Nothing to get excited about. If it's Skuse and Tunniicliffe competing for one spot then there may be some wisdom there (what's happened to Hyam?). If it's Skuse and Tunnicliffe in the same midfield then we're no better off than last season. A holding midfielder needs to add something when we are on the front foot eg telling passes or quality free kicks. I'm not sure Skuse or Tunnicliffe can offer that. Skuse gets found out against pace because of the lack of pace in our central defence. Maybe Tunnicliffe has pace?

1

COYB11 added 15:20 - Jun 17 ...as a cheap alternative to Huws
1

Juanforthemoney added 15:56 - Jun 17 Never rated him the first time.....next please!
2

sixtyblue added 16:07 - Jun 17 Not good enough for Fulham why would he be of use to us.we want to progress not stagnate more
2

Taricco_Fan added 16:18 - Jun 17 Picking up scraps again.
6

Radlett_blue added 17:26 - Jun 17 Tidy enough midfield player but offers absolutely no goal threat whatsoever.
1

Daleyitfc added 17:50 - Jun 17 Skip diving again : we need another Cole Skuse like we need ... Cole Skuse.
4

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 18:35 - Jun 17 Not really!
1

Sixto6 added 18:45 - Jun 17 We need to be signing players for our 1st eleven, Ryan is a squad player at best. Huws is a must.
2

shakytown added 19:19 - Jun 17 No thanks. A below average squad player at best who will not provide the creativity we desperately need.
1

Terry_Nutkins added 19:25 - Jun 17 OldClactonBlue - sure all professional level players should be capable of a creative pass etc (i didnt say anything different) but you would certainly need midfield players who dont have that as their primary role. Thats true of all the best teams. Chelsea have Matic and Konte. Even Barcelona have Busquets.
2

johnno added 20:07 - Jun 17 Let's just get in some descent young loans just like Huddersfield did get us up to premiership no point in getting the tunnicliffes of this world no good first time round young exciting players get bums back on seats that's for me not more old donkeys
2

Premierbluez added 00:05 - Jun 18 Hues must be signed. Tunnicliffe should only be considered if Huws cannot be signed and Tunnicliffe is more in the Hyam/Skuse position and we do not need 3 players for that midfield position.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 02:07 - Jun 18 No. Average. Would rather see Dozzell and Bishop play
1

Currie10 added 07:20 - Jun 18 Yes please. A lot seem to forget we shoved him left wing last time and rarely played in his actual position. Upgrade from what we have and a free. Would be decent.
0

BlueandTruesince82 added 10:34 - Jun 18 Think we can do better. Even with frees.
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Jimmy86 added 13:31 - Jun 18 Currie10 does the fact we shoved him wide left, due to his work rate and not play him in his preferred central role ring alarm bells?? Work rate over technical ability I'd suggest
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