Kieran McKenna has insisted there has been no decision regarding Gassan Ahadme’s immediate future with Ipswich Town. 

The 22-year-old, signed from Burton in the summer, has had a frustrating start to life with the Blues, with a foot injury restricting him to just 48 minutes of League One football. 

With Ahadme’s path to the first-team blocked further by the January signing of George Hirst from Leicester, Burton boss Dino Maamria has publicly discussed the potential for Ahadme to return to the Pirelli Stadium on loan. 

But McKenna insists no decision has been made. 

“These confirmations should be internal and it’s inappropriate really for anyone to speak about these things externally,” he said, speaking to BBC Radio Suffolk. 

“There has been nothing decided yet. We’ve been in conversation with Gassan because he’s our player and he’s someone we think highly of. 

“It’s important we have the right next step for him. We’re having those conversations and we’ll keep them internal.” 

With players only able to represent two clubs in any one season, Burton are the only side Ahadme could potentially move to during the January window, given he has played for both the Brewers and Town already in 2022/23. 

Maamria, though, admitted finance makes it difficult for his side to bring the striker back. 

“Gassan did really well for us at the start of the season,” the Burton boss told his club’s official website.  

“Ipswich have signed even more forwards this window and he was already struggling to make the team.  

East Anglian Daily Times: Gassan Ahadme, pictured in action against RotherhamGassan Ahadme, pictured in action against Rotherham (Image: Ross Halls)

“I spoke to their manager (Kieran McKenna) last week. We were talking about a few players and Gassan came up in that conversation. He (the Ipswich manager) was keen for Gassan to come back to us, and I felt the same way, but we’re not in a position to pay what they asked for him.  

“As far as I’m concerned today, the deal is not going to happen because we cannot meet their financial expectations.” 

Ahadme has made one start and seven substitute appearances for Town, scoring in the FA Cup victory over Buxton.