Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna says he has no real fears that exciting loan talent Omari Hutchinson will be recalled by parent club Chelsea in January.
In his first proper season of senior football, the 20-year-old winger has displayed an encouraging combination of off-the-ball work rate and on-the-ball trickery across eight starts and 11 substitute appearances.
“He’s coming on really well," said McKenna, when asked about Hutchinson's development at a club that currently sits second in the Championship table.
"It’s been a really positive experience for him being around a really mature, driven, focused group. We have a really demanding environment where the players train to a high level every day and he’s really bought into that culture.
“For us, it’s about trying to help develop the great attributes that he has and showing him how he can be more effective in different ways.
"The big positive is the way he’s threatening the opposition, getting himself into great positions and putting in a great effort for the team off the ball. You can always develop the last pass or the last finish and he’s got a great mindset to do that.
"He’s definitely made improvements over the last few months and hopefully he’ll continue to do so."
Asked if he had any concerns that the youngster may have his season-long deal cut short, McKenna replied: “I think they’re pretty flush with left-footed, right-sided attackers, so it’s not a phone call we’re expecting, but with loans you never know. Of course, we’re respectful he’s not our player.
“I think at the moment, all sides - our club, certainly the player and his family, and his parent club - all see the benefits of the exposure that he’s getting here. Everyone’s really happy with that situation and there’s a great chance that that will stay the same.”
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