Boss Kieran McKenna says he hopes Town can get their January transfer business done early in the window, while keeping tight-lipped on Middlesbrough midfielder Massimo Luongo, who TWTD revealed yesterday is training with the Blues, and other targets such as Peterborough’s Jack Taylor.

Former Blues loanee Luongo joined up with the squad earlier in the week with his short-term Middlesbrough contract up in January and unlikely to be renewed with the Australian having not featured for a single minute since joining the Teessiders in the summer and having only been on the bench twice.

Quizzed on the situation, McKenna felt it wasn’t right to comment given the 30-year-old is still officially with Boro, who are managed by his friend and former Manchester United colleague Michael Carrick.

“He’s been with us for the last few days,” he said. “I think in general the policy always has to be to respect the other clubs. Massimo Luongo is a Middlesbrough player, is contracted with Middlesbrough.

“Of course, we have a good relationship with Middlesbrough and I know Massimo as well, so that’s been useful over the last few days, but he’s a Middlesbrough player and at the moment his future is contracted with them and is still in their hands.

“I think regarding that and any other speculation, I don’t think it’s fair and right [to talk about] players who are under contract with other clubs.”

Regarding when his Boro contract might be up, he added: “I think that’s for Middlesbrough to make that decision and then announce that decision and due course.”

McKenna says he knows Luongo from their time at the Tottenham academy: “When I was the youth team coach he was one of the U23 players, he was out on loan at that time.”

In addition to Luongo, the Blues have also made an enquiry for Peterborough’s Jack Taylor, while Brighton's Republic of Ireland international striker Evan Ferguson is another player the Blues have been keeping a close eye on.

McKenna says Town’s aim is to get players in the door soon after the window opens: “We’re really trying, that’s been the idea all along. I think we have six games in January in total, so having the best squad available for those games is an advantage for the rest of the season.

“We want to get our business done as early as possible. We’ve been preparing as well as we can but a lot of things are out of your control, in any transfer window that’s the case, especially in a transfer window where there’s been a World Cup and a winter break for teams in the top two divisions above you.

“That creates a lot more uncertainty in the market and within the decision making of clubs.

“We really want to do our business early in the window, but that’s not under our control, so we’ll work as hard and as prudently as we can and if we’re going to make additions, the earlier in January that we can would be better, of course.”

He says with matches and preparations for January, it's been a hectic period.

“It’s been busy," McKenna continued. “It is a busy time of the year. We’re busy on all fronts, of course. It's very important that we get our work in here and are working really hard with the players in the building to be ready for a really important run of games coming up.

“Important that we’re recovering players from injury and building them up, so they can contribute and, of course, we’re looking at how we can improve the squad in January as all the teams will be.

“So, it’s been busy on all fronts, but it’s important that we do that work and we follow the right processes to make sure we’re making as many good decisions as we can to give us the best chance to be successful in the second half of the season.”

Photo: Action Images

Suffolkboy added 16:28 - Dec 22 KM and MA are the most thoughtful and well prepared Management leaders ever for ITFC : what needs to be done is identified in advance and plans for achieving carefully laid ! COYB
8

MaySixth added 17:09 - Dec 22 Luongo's contract expires on Jan 1, 2023
0

Linkboy13 added 17:45 - Dec 22 Im a massive fan of Kieran McKenna and have never criticised his team selections and his tactics. But i feel his decisions to sign players he has worked with might be his Achilles heel. Remember Tom Carroll who never really looked fit enough or good enough to make an impact. His mate Michael Carrick has obviously recommended him (remember he's barely featured at Middlesborough twice on the bench). So come on let's be a bit more ambitious and look forward to next season in the championship.

-2

bluemoon2568 added 18:45 - Dec 22 When I was thinking of a striker for Town a while back I thought of Charlie Austin who is a great regular goal scorer.He was playing in the A league in Australia but has cut ties with Brisbane as he wants to come back to the UK.We could do far worse than him.
3

dirtydingusmagee added 18:46 - Dec 22 January window is always difficult and this one will probably be the same, however he have a stronger set up than previous years so hopefully it will come good.
0

churchmans added 19:01 - Dec 22 Hopefully a striker
2

Carberry added 19:38 - Dec 22 Suffolkboy, that's an astonishing statement, have you walked the corridors of power at Portman road for some time?
1

Nutkins_Return added 19:52 - Dec 22 Linkboy - McKenna has done the opposite of what you are suggesting. Paul Cook signed Tom Carroll and McKenna released him/didn't extend him. Everyone expected McKenna to sign Utd Youths etc but he really hasn't done that. Luongo if he can stay fit would be an ideal signing and using your network to get an advantage e.g. bring him in a month early under competitors noses is clearly a positive.

9

BeattiesBackPocket added 21:37 - Dec 22 Well said Nutkins 👏🏻 Not sure why linkboy is talking about Tom Carroll and McKenna in same breath he's done the complete opposite to anything he's suggesting. As much as well all want the best players from the championship that's not going to happen this season until we go up. Luongo when fit last season was probably the best player on the pitch against us if he can recapture that then I'd have him.

3

Bazza8564 added 09:22 - Dec 23 I trust McKenna's judgement. We 've been unlucky with Adhame and Camara so far but clearly teh gaffa has a keen eye for teh type of player he wants. Harness, Leigh, Davis Ladapo have all given us a bit extra and we must not forget we are operating within L1 salary cap rules which restrict us. If Luongo is the one for KM, hes OK for me. If we can land Whittaker and Clarke-Harris id jump through hoops but lets trust the club, 21 months ago we were still under Evans and going nowhere. A little perspective and some faith please

2

oldelsworthyfan added 12:04 - Dec 23 Yes Bluemoon, someone with experience - like Charlie Austin who knows how to get himself in goal scoring positions and provide some leadership in the opposition's penalty area.
0

Blogs 298 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls