Conor Chaplin set for stay as Ipswich Town give green light to remain at Portsmouth
The latest news on Conor Chaplin’s future this evening, with Ipswich Town able to recall their player in the January transfer window.
Ipswich Town have signalled their intent to let Conor Chaplin remain at Pompey for the season.
Blues boss John Mousinho has this afternoon confirmed he doesn’t expect the fans’ favourite to be recalled by his parent club after talks.
Ipswich Town give green light for Chaplin Pompey stay
Discussions took place between the two clubs on Sunday, as their scheduled Championship clash at Fratton Park was postponed.
And the indications from the promotion contenders is the academy graduate will be allowed to see out the full term at PO4.
Chaplin has already appeared for Ipswich five times this season, meaning he would not be able to play for a third club this in the event of a Portman Road recall.
The 28-year-old generated a huge furore with his deadline day capture causing a massive amount of excitement among the Fratton Faithful, in a move seen as arguably the best Championship business of the last day of summer player trading.
Chaplin has failed to hit the back of the net from 19 appearances, however, returning a single key assist for Ibane Bowat’s winner against Blackburn Rovers last month.
The former Coventry City and Barnsley man has been deployed in an unfamiliar position on the right flank for much of his stay, as John Mousinho dealt with injuries to key options in that area of the pitch.
Now though the Pompey boss has set his sights on untapping Chaplin’s undoubted company, and bringing the goals and assists he has in his locker.
Mousinho now focussing on untapping Chaplin’s quality at PO4
Speaking to The News over Chaplin’s future, Mousinho said: ‘Conor is likely to stay.
‘We had a brief conversation with Ipswich on Sunday, and the intention is for him to stay for the season.
‘You never know, but the difference with Conor compared to Minhyeok (Yang) is Spurs can recall him and send him back out again, whereas if Conor’s recalled he can only play for Ipswich because he’s already played for them this season. That puts us in a stronger position.
‘I haven’t spoken to him about a recall, but there’s loads to come from Chappers.
‘He’s given us a huge amount, in terms of what he’s done as a leader.
‘He’s come in and grown into his role over the past five or six weeks, now there’s that big part of his offensive game we think we can really build on.
‘He’s really good at dropping deep, building play and he’s really good with the press. Now adding goals and assists to his game will take it to the next level for us.’
Ahead of Sunday’s postponed game with Ipswich, boss Kieran McKenna stated the plan was to discuss the future of the likes of Chaplin after the weekend.
Speaking before the game was called off, McKenna told the East Anglian Daily Times: 'There hasn't been any talks. I think assessments on what we want to do with the whole squad, ins or outs, balance of the squad, that comes after Sunday, to be honest.
'Of course, the club's working hard behind the scenes, but there's been such a busy run of games. Things can always change.
'We'll get past Sunday and then we'll sit down, we'll look at the four months since September and assess the group - where we think we could make any additions, where we might want to be a little bit tighter in the group.
'And, of course, players who are on loan will be part of those discussions.'