Town boss Kieran McKenna says conversations regarding loan pair George Hirst and Tyreece John-Jules will take place in the weeks to come.

Hirst, 24, has been a great success since joining the Blues on loan from Leicester in January, scoring seven times in 15 starts and seven sub appearances.

John-Jules, 22, made 10 starts and 11 sub appearances, scoring three times, before suffering a hamstring injury in October and then, just as he was about to make his comeback, a quadricep problem ended his campaign prematurely, however, the Arsenal youngster was back at the club to join his teammates on the pitch to celebrate promotion on Saturday.

Asked whether he’s keen to keep the duo, McKenna said: “I think it’s never right to speak about permanent signings of loan players because those clubs have been good enough to show their belief in us over the season to take their players and to see this as a good place for their players to play.

“So I don’t think it’s ever right to speculate on whether any of those could or would be made permanent.

“For sure, the players we’ve had on loan, if that’s Tyreece and George, have had a really good impact, both of them here we like.

“I’m keen on not taking loans for the sake of it, we don’t want to take many loans. We went into the season wanting to have the large, large majority of the squad on permanent contracts and only take loans if we thought the fit was really, really good and they could have a big impact, and that was the case with those two players.

“Those conversations will be for the next few weeks as we plan for the squad for next year, but they’re not conversations which have been had yet.”

Hirst has said he’s loved his time at Town but has flat-batted questions on making his move permanent: “For me, what will be will be on that front and those conversations are to be had in the summer.”

The one-time Sheffield Wednesday trainee signed a new deal with the Foxes which runs to the summer of 2025 prior to joining Blackburn on loan last summer.

John-Jules is understood to be keen on extending his time at Portman Road.

McKenna says the situation is similar with the club’s out-of-contract players, Massimo Luongo, Kane Vincent-Young, Sone Aluko, Richard Keogh and Joel Coleman. Town have already taken up an option in Janoi Donacien’s deal with a similar clause in Vincent-Young’s contract.

“There’s been no definite conversations,” he said. “Of course you speak to people in private right through the season to encourage them and let them know how we feel about them and where they are in the squad.

“But there’s been no definite conversations about contracts and that won’t take place until after the game on Sunday, which I think is only right.”

McKenna admits his mind has already turned towards his plans for next season.

“Yes, it has,” he said. “I said no last week, but this week it has. We’ve started to discuss things. We’ve had a couple more meetings this week and we will do over the weekend and next week as well.

“That’s something really to look forward to and put those thoughts right to the back of our minds over the last few weeks with the schedule being so relentless.

“But once we got over last weekend, naturally your mind starts to move towards next season and the exciting challenges ahead and what we’re going to have to do improve.”"

Photo: Matchday Images

Lightningboy added 17:12 - May 5 Hirst has to be our number 1 priority this summer.
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Suffolkboy added 17:25 - May 5 KM and MA ,plus the team around them , are extremely capable , objective and purposeful ; it'd be very surprising if any avenues or opportunities were missed though of course implementation can rest on the decisions of other Clubs . There's nothing to suggest OUR Management team will be anything other than completely diligent and imaginative ! Let's trust them! COYB
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pennblue added 17:32 - May 5 Unless Hirst is going to play in Leicesters 1st team next season, it makes total sense for him to be here. I would say that is highly unlikely even if Leicester do come down, mainly as he is still unproven and so why would they take the risk. Right now, George will perceive Leicester as a bigger club than us. He can see our history, but I doubt it means much to him as he was not born then! But a full season in the Championship with plenty of playing time is clearly his next step from a development point of view. Therefore I suspect, it will end up being another season long loan, and I think the sooner that is nailed down the better as it will give the lad a chance to go away without worrying about where he is going to be playing his football next year.

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troyparrotsleftear added 17:46 - May 5 Hirst has made a big impression but i wouldnt be keen on another season long loan. Players need to decide if they want to be here or not, he can see where this club is going now and has a chance to be a big part of that or sit on the bench at leicester.. That should be enough
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d77sgw added 18:00 - May 5 Got to bear in mind that its a big step up in the Championship, and Hirst has a much better record at L1 level. Seeing how he performs at a higher level before we sign him permanently may make sense...
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blueplumber added 19:06 - May 5 If liecester come down chances are he will stay there. They will Need to lay off higher earners. As with lots of our players big step up. But I fancy 7 or 8 of our players up to it
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terryf added 19:20 - May 5 Some of the fringe players this season wiil go and most loaned out players too. Jon Jules would be a good permanent signing and I would imagine the likes of Hirst and Colby Bishop will be on the Club's radar. Exciting times and I think we will do well in the Championship and surprise most Teams. Look at Burnley, we gave them two really hard games. Cannot see any reason why we will not be in the promotion mix. Bring it on!!

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Europablue added 19:40 - May 5 Massimo Luongo needs to be signed up, and John-Jules would probably be a good addition. We already have a pretty decent first team right now with a few players at a decent level that are on the bench, but we certainly don't have the strength and depth for the Championship at present. Being in the Championship opens possibilities for another class of player probably including some really good prospects from a few Premier League academies. It's all a bit of a balancing act, because we don't want to upset the balance of the squad. KM is the man to do it.

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Lukeybluey added 22:02 - May 5 I wonder whether we'd go in for Collins at bristol rovers? But yeah, would definitely try and sign Hirst, john jules and Luongo up on contracts....we have a really good nucleas of a great squad.
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reva added 01:45 - May 6 Massimo Luongo is a definite one to offer a new contract to - but KM will already have some irons in the fire and Ashton will already be getting ready to do deals even before the transfer market opens - getting a settled team in place for the start of the championship is a priority.
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Suffolk_n_Proud added 07:19 - May 6 Hirst must be on 30k+ a week, probably twice as much as any Town player so I doubt we'll be signing him while he is still in contract at Leceister
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Saxonblue74 added 07:56 - May 6 I'd take them both in a heartbeat if we can. Problem with Hirst for me goes way back to a player we nearly signed from non league years ago, Jamie Vardy. If Leicester are relegated they may see Hirst as a future replacement for Vardy with him being in the twilight of his career. Far easier for them to develop Hirst in the championship than the prem. Stay in the prem and they may look for a "prem ready" replacement? JJ is going to be a top player and could be perfect to grow with us. He's surely ready for the championship, and the prem in a year or two perhaps? With us? I really think we could!🤞

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OsborneOneNil added 11:26 - May 6 Hirst & Massimo please.
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