Mick McCarthy expects Ryan Tunnicliffe to be part of Ipswich Town’s play-off push after holding talks with Manchester United boss David Moyes about extending the midfielder’s loan at Portman Road.

The Young Red Devil, who is 21 next Monday, was at the heart of Town’s dominance as the Blues swept aside Doncaster Rovers, 3-0, at the Keepmoat Stadium, yesterday.

Tunnicliffe provided the ball for Luke Chambers’ goal in South Yorkshire yesterday and also played a part in the visitors’ third, which gave David McGoldrick his second goal of the game.

Town extended their current unbeaten run to six games with the comprehensive victory and have not been defeated on the road now since September 22.

Such form has catapulted McCarthy’s team towards the top-six and Tunnicliffe, whose six-month loan deal expires at the end of this year, has been a key performer in recent weeks.

After the game, McCarthy, whose side travel to Bournemouth on Sunday, said: “I have spoken to David Moyes and unless they (Manchester United) are desperate, he should be able to stay until the rest of the season. We hope that is the case.”

McCarthy added: “Ryan has more to give. I am pleased with him but I would like to be delighted with him.

“He has slotted straight in and I really want him to stay and barring an accident, he will.”

Meanwhile, McCarthy reflected on a good away day as Town proved too strong for a Doncaster team missing nine players through injury.

“They have played like that for a number of weeks,” he said.

“I didn’t think we played that well in the first half and 2-0 flattered us but we have scored two goals from corners.

“In the second half we could have done more damage and I am not sure if Frank Nouble’s goal was offside.

“But Doncaster kept going and they had a good second half header, while Dean Gerken made a match-winning save for us in the first half.”

He added: “We want more of the same now but Bournemouth will want to slap us.”