TWTD understands Swansea forward Morgan Whittaker, who is currently on loan with League One leaders Plymouth, is on Town’s list of potential January recruits, along with Brighton's young Republic of Ireland striker Evan Ferguson.

Whittaker joined the Pilgrims, who currently lead the Blues by two points at the top of the division, in July and has been one of their most impressive performers in the opening months of the campaign.

The 21-year-old has scored seven goals - including one in Argyle’s 2-1 victory over Town at Home Park - in 15 starts and eight sub appearances.

The former England U16, U17, U18, U19 and U20 international is due to remain at Home Park for the whole season, however, manager Steven Schumacher has admitted that any of his club’s loanees could be recalled in January.

“I think there is a possibility for all of them to be recalled because that's what tends to happen in these contracts,” he told Plymouth Live.

He added: “I understand that circumstances do change and if it does change then no problem, we will have a plan in place for that as well.

“But, at the moment, speaking to all of the loan players they are enjoying what they are doing and their clubs are really enjoying them playing for us.”

However, speaking earlier this month, Swans boss Russell Martin played down the chances of Whittaker being recalled.

“He's in a great place,” Plymouth Live reported. “They’re having a really good season. I don't know why we would disrupt that.

“If you look at the strength we have in the squad currently, we would only bring him back if we thought he could play the minutes he's playing there.”

Despite that, Town would almost certainly be able to pay a greater percentage of Whittaker’s Swansea wages than the Pilgrims if they were to take him on loan for the second half of the season.

Derby-born Whittaker started his career with his hometown club before joining the Swans in February 2021, signing a four-and-a-half-year deal. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Lincoln.

Meanwhile, we understand there is some truth in claims that the Blues are among a long list of clubs keen on Brighton youngster Evan Ferguson, who won his first two senior Republic of Ireland caps over the last few days.

According to the Daily Mail, Sheffield United, Millwall, Middlesbrough, Birmingham City, Preston North End, Bristol City, Wigan and Town are all monitoring the 18-year-old’s progress.

TWTD understands that like Whittaker, Ferguson is on Town’s list of players under consideration for loan in January but with the Blues' interest not having gone any further than that at this stage.

Town's head of recruitment Sam Williams was spotted at the Brighton-Feyenoord U21s fixture in October which Ferguson ultimately missed but seems likely to have been the reason for the trip.

The Bettystown-born striker joined the Seagulls from Dublin side Bohemians in January 2021 with Liverpool reportedly having been interested.

Ferguson, whose father is former Coventry, Colchester, Hartlepool and Northampton defender Barry, has made only one start and four sub appearances for Brighton, one game from the bench in the Premier League, scoring one senior goal.

Having been capped at U15, U17 and U21 levels, he was handed his senior bow as a sub in Thursday’s friendly with Norway before appearing from the bench again in yesterday’s game against Malta.

Photo: Reuters

oldblue added 20:16 - Nov 21 Rhys Healey from Toulouse ex Mk Dons 38 goals in 75 games ...27 years old ..right age and can score....
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blueboy1981 added 20:23 - Nov 21 Very little chance of Whittaker I would suggest - however, he is a CLASS Player !!
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PremierBlue added 23:19 - Nov 21 If not our highest priority uncharacteristically leaked, it could still be a rumour that destabilizes our opponent...
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Cloddyseedbed added 08:47 - Nov 22 Smoke screen. We will sign a player out of the blue that has not been mentioned before.
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Ipswichbusiness added 09:54 - Nov 22 The winter transfer window is a difficult one as clubs don't want to lose their best players half-way through the season; remember when Lambert brought in seven or eight signings hardly any of which achieved anything? Mind you, the present set up seems much more professional than anything in Evans' time.
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Linkboy13 added 10:47 - Nov 22 Terry Butcher stated that in his opinion only 2 or 3 players at the club are of championship quality. So i think we have to look ahead a little bit and possibly sign a couple of players with championship experience which is not a easy thing as this would probably mean a jump in wages that sometimes causes unrest in the camp. Many of our current squad have had championship experience but only as squad players Conner Chaplin for example. Sam Morsy was still playing fairly regularly for Middlesborough and that shows on the pitch as he is our best outfield player and someone that McKenna wants to pick for every league game and is not prepared to include in his rotation system.

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midastouch added 12:02 - Nov 22 Whittaker looked very good when we played them at their place. Another one that looks exciting (although we haven't been linked with him) is Aaron Collins. He looks a very good prospect. https://www.bristolworld.com/sport/football/bristol-rovers/aaron-collins-bristol https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12748830/aaron-collins-interview-h
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Ipswichbusiness added 14:32 - Nov 22 I think that Linkboy13 makes a good point. Yes, the primary objective is promotion, but, if we are talking about permanent signings, then we need players who are at the top end Championship or lower end Premiership level if we are to thrive in the Championship. Signing good League One players is not enough.
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