Ipswich Town are still waiting to confirm the signing of Jaden Philogene on a permanent deal from Aston Villa.

The Blues agreed a deal worth £20 million plus add-ons for the versatile winger, with personal terms agreed and a medical complete.

However, the 22-year-old has missed the cut-off point to be registered in time to feature in Sunday’s FA Cup third-round clash against Bristol Rovers on Sunday afternoon.

Asked about the deal in his pre-match press conference, Kieran McKenna explained: “There’s nothing to say really. He’s an Aston Villa player, first and foremost, and there’s no deal, or no completion, as far as I’m aware at the moment.

“Until that changes, or if that changes, I’m sure the club will announce it.”

McKenna refused to comment on the £16 million bid for Middlesbrough loanee Ben Doak, which was turned down by parent club Liverpool.

Elsewhere, amid further reports about Town’s interest in Nemanja Matic are wide of the mark, as we revealed earlier this week. Former Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho is also not a target this month.

In terms of exits, Championship outfit Sheffield Wednesday have been linked with a loan move for Ipswich right-back Harry Clarke.

Harry Clarke may be allowed to leave Portman Road on loan (Image: Ross Halls)

McKenna is well stocked with right-sided defenders after completing the signing of Ben Godfrey on loan from Atalanta. As a result, he revealed that Clarke could be allowed to leave until the end of the season.

“There’s a possibility that Harry Clarke will go out on loan,” the manager confirmed It’s a possibility at the moment.

“Me and Harry have had those conversations. He’s an important player for us, a very good player. He played through some injury at the back end of last season and had a big surgery in the summer, so he’s missed a few months of football.

“He’s had some minutes now in the Premier League, some exposure. But of course, for his age, as a young defender, it’s important to be getting minutes regularly for his progression and his role at the club.

“If everything is in a good place in the squad over the next week or two from an availability point of view, then there’s a chance that Harry will go out on loan to get some regular playing time, to keep pushing with his development.

“That’s the only one, really. Other than that, the squad is pretty tight at the moment. Everyone’s got a really clear role in the team and I wouldn’t expect too many changes to that in the next couple of weeks.”

Of course, that could change with certain additions. Ali Al-Hamadi is one player who could see his short-term future away from Portman Road, with a loan deal becoming a possibility if Ipswich can add another striker.

“It’s a big if,” McKenna admitted. “We like to have three centre-forwards in the building, or three people who are comfortable in that role.

Ali Al-Hamadi has made 11 cameo appearances for Town in the Premier League (Image: Ross Halls)

“We know that we always use two in pretty much every game since I’ve been here. It’s very rare that we won’t use two strikers, and of course, if you lose one, you’re a lot shorter.

“We want to have three forwards in the building. Hopefully if George Hirst can come through the very last bit now, we’ll have Liam [Delap], George and Ali in the building, which leaves us in a pretty good position.

“If we go like that until the end of the season, we’ll have some strong options there. If there are any changes in that, then of course the situation could change for the players here.

“At the moment, hopefully George gets back and we have the three of those. That gives us the base to work from that we want.”

Goalkeeper Cieran Slicker, who also takes up a place in the 25-man squad, is another possible loan exit, although McKenna may look to keep him in Suffolk until the summer.

“There have been some discussions, but Cieran is playing an important role in the team.

“For sure, he needs senior experience at some point, whether that’s in this window or in the summer or coming up at some point. He will have the opportunity and will need to go out and play senior games.

“We still feel like he’s improving a lot. He’s getting better month-by-month at the club, so he certainly hasn’t plateaued. He’s had some good exposure to international football as well.

“At the moment, he’s got a really part to play at the club. Any discussions other than that will take place between Cieran and us, but he’s playing a really good part in the squad at the moment.”