Ipswich Town manager to hold ‘personal’ talks with Bristol City midfielder over future

Ipswich Town manager Ken McKenna says he will hold discussions with Bristol City midfielder Tyreeq Bakinson over his future.

Bakinson has been on loan at Portman Road since moving there in January and has featured regularly for the Tractor Boys.

The 23-year-old’s contract was only extended in November with a one-year option triggered until the summer of 2023.

But now talks will be held between Ipswich’s manager, Bakinson and City about the potential to make it a permanent move.

“Tyreeq has enjoyed his experience here and has developed during his time, improving almost game by game to get himself up to a good level,” said McKenna in an interview with the East Anglian Daily Times.

“But he and I need to discuss his future on a personal level first and then between others before it’s communicated publicly.”

No talks have taken place with Bakinson or City as of yet or with any of Ipswich’s out of contract players.

They are expected to take place when the League One regular season ends, which is on April 30, a week before the end of the Championship campaign.

Bakinson has made 15 appearances for Ipswich, making 11 starts, whilst he has also come off of the bench three times.

The central midfielder also scored a goal for his loan side, scoring the winner against Doncaster Rovers back in February.

McKenna said: “We’ve spoken about it and have a good idea of where we want to take the squad but there haven’t been any discussions with players yet, so it’s not the time to discuss that.

“It will be towards the back end of next week and beyond when we sit down with the players individually and discuss what’s going to be right for them and for the club.”

He is one of a few players to return to the club once their loan spells are up at the end of the current season.

Taylor Moore, who is contracted until 2023, will return from his loan spell at Scottish Premiership outfit Hearts.

Owura Edwards, who was first at Exeter City and then Colchester United will then return fully after spending the year in League Two.