Ipswich Town have not made an approach to bring Connor Wickham back to the club on loan, the EADT and Ipswich Star understands

Wickham was recalled by parent club Sunderland on Monday after scoring eight goals in 10 games during a loan spell at Championship club Sheffield Wednesday.

The 20-year-old – who came through Town’s academy and scored 15 goals in 72 appearances before making an £8.1m switch to the Black Cats in 2011 – has been linked with a permanent move to Championship clubs Brighton and Nottingham Forest in recent days.

Odds on him returning to Ipswich on loan tumbled to 2/5 this morning though, but a source close to the player has told the EADT and Ipswich Star that the Suffolk club have not made an enquiry about his availability ahead of tomorrow’s transfer deadline.

Sheffield Wednesday boss Stuart Gray has today said that he is still ‘hopeful’ that he can bring Wickham back to Hillsborough on loan and that the England Under-21 international wants to return to the club. The Owls’ new signing, Benik Afobe, has also revealed that he consulted Wickham prior to his loan switch from Arsenal and that Wickham told him he was ‘devastated’ to be recalled.

Clubs can sign players on a permanent basis or on loan until the end-of-the-season up until midnight tomorrow, though the ‘emergency’ loan window – which allows for 93-day deals – does open again a week later (closing on March 24).

Earlier today, the EADT and Ipswich Star revealed that Town midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe – on loan from Manchester United until the end-of-the-season – was not joining Fulham, contrary to reports.

Blues boss Mick McCarthy is keen to add a fresh face to his small squad, though he will be restricted to free transfers, swaps and loan deals. The club is reportedly in talks with Leeds’ out-of-favour Irish midfielder Paul Green about a loan deal.