Town boss Kieran McKenna expects loan striker Dane Scarlett to be recalled by his parent club Tottenham Hotspur.

Scarlett, 19, was left out of the Blues’ 20-man squad for this afternoon’s game at Leeds and McKenna says he expects the young frontman to return to North London once the January transfer window opens.

“There’s conversations with Tottenham at the moment,” McKenna told BBC Radio Suffolk. “I think it looks very likely that he’ll be recalled. Tottenham have injury issues at the moment and they have their main forward [Son Heung-min] going to the Asian Cup at the start of January as well.

“So there have been discussions over the last few days and there’s a fair chance that he’ll be recalled from the start of January.”

Scarlett has made only 12 substitute appearances for the Blues since signing on loan for the season in August. He missed out on the chance to start in the Carabao Cup having played for Spurs prior to his switch.

“He’s a really talented player, we enjoyed having him here,” McKenna added. “He arrived really late in the window after a disrupted pre-season not having played any minutes, so he was always going to be playing catch-up.

“The players who have been playing have been doing so, so well, so he hasn’t had as many starts as he would have liked.

“But he’s made 12 appearances at the very top end of the Championship. He’s had some good contributions for us. I think he’s taken a lot away, hopefully, from the environment and his time at the club and I think he goes back a stronger player and we hope to see good things from him in the future.”

Asked whether Scarlett’s likely exit makes adding a striker in January a more urgent requirement, McKenna added: “We want to improve the squad anyway in numerous different positions if we possibly can. With Dane leaving, that certainly makes that a little bit higher on the priority list. We’ll do what work we can with the resources we have.”

Having played for two sides already this season, Scarlett will be unable to join anyone else on loan during January.

Photo: Matchday Images

Hatman2 added 23:06 - Dec 23 Makes sense for both sides. He’s got some promise, but we need more command and impact in a striker to supplement Hirst.
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BcarefulwhatUWish4 added 23:10 - Dec 23 Looks a good prospect for the future. Best of luck moving forward!
8

Gforce added 23:32 - Dec 23 Need to sign another striker who is at least as good as Hirst, if not better.Our current back up strikers just not good enough at this level.
10

cressi added 23:39 - Dec 23 Looked a good prospect really apart from a little cameo at Birmingham thought he was miles away from what's required hoping better comes in.
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chepstowblue added 05:18 - Dec 24 I don't think any of our strikers are of the quality required. Hirst works his socks off, has scored some excellent goals for us, but is lacking technically. It seems pointless having a 6ft 3 guy up front when we never put aerial balls into the box. Often times seems far too isolated. Yes we need a strong physical presence, but someone with a more assured touch is an absolute must.

2

Lukeybluey added 08:34 - Dec 24 We should look at Tim Kleindienst from Heidenheim, an absolute animal, can score and assist, I think he's 27/28 so a bit older than what we usually go for, and I think he'd cost a pretty penny too, so whether or not we could afford him, no idea...
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BlueBoots added 08:37 - Dec 24 Think we signed Scarlett hoping to play him as a No.9, but his best games for us were playing behind and we already have about 10 players who can compete for those 3 spots. Frees a space in the squad to sign someone who is more effective as a No.9, as if Hirst was out for any reason it would leave us with Ladapo (or Jackson)
4

Radlett_blue added 09:07 - Dec 24 Scarlett isn't ready to lead the line at this level & we need far better back up for Hirst than what we have. Spurs were daft to play Scarlett in a Cup game as they were bound to loan him out so it's Spurs U21s or bench warming plus the odd Cup game for him.
6

Bazza8564 added 09:12 - Dec 24 There will be big transfer moves in the forward position. Birmingham fans are already talking about who they sign WHEN Stansfield comes here, I expect Freddie to move on too, hes been third choice for a while now. This window could be a huge one for us. Good luck to Dane, a bright prospect and a potential target again if Spurs continue to buy, KM rates him highly so hold that thought for next summer

4

Linkboy13 added 09:14 - Dec 24 Looked way off the pace at championship level. A years loan at a league one club would be more beneficial. Been with us all season still don't really know what his strengths are.
6

terryf added 10:21 - Dec 24 There's a player in there somewhere, but you've got to have a presence at this level and currently he's way short of that! Number 9 is currently our weakness at the moment because within the system we play if Hirst is injured we have no replacement. Ladapo did OK for us last season but at this level is not the answer. OK the Leeds result was a big disappointment but in the context of the season at the half-way stage 52 points and three defeats is not too shabby. Lets hope for a positive result against Leicester and lets not forget that these two Teams have spent millions on players and were in the Premiership last season! Hopefully Kieran will get the right recruits onboard during the window?

3

Lightningboy added 10:29 - Dec 24 Whenever Hirst gets subbed I immediately think well that's the game over in an attacking threat - the replacements are just nowhere near up to his level - ok,Ladapo's got goals in him but not much work rate. We need someone who can come on for Hirst & keep that work rate going right til the final whistle.
6

virginblue added 14:39 - Dec 24 Imagine thinking Hirst isn’t good enough
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TimmyH added 17:41 - Dec 24 Had little time playing to be fair...what I saw of him was a tad underwhelming.
2

planetblue_2011 added 17:50 - Dec 24 Definitely get Stansfield in now or someone with his calibre. Shame about Scarlett didn’t quite get his chance he needed
2

LegendofthePhoenix added 15:10 - Dec 25 Good. It hasn't worked out. That's to a large extent because Spurs stupidly played him in the EFL cup and cup tied him. If that hadn't happened, maybe he could have stared in 3 or 4 games and stood a chance of breaking through like Hutchinson. Sadly he has only had a few bit parts which isn't what the lad needs, and was in on one's interests. Spurs, this is on you.

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SickParrot added 18:15 - Dec 25 He is a clever player with a good touch but he is not strong enough and lacks any end product at present. Spurs maybe short of front players but he's no where near premier league standard. As he's only been getting brief sub appearances here he's likely to get even less minutes there. Spurs would be better off leaving him here to continue his education under KM and getting a more experienced player on loan.

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