Former Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace striker James Scowcroft has conceded the chances of Jonny Williams returning to Portman Road are slim, with the 20-year-old having impressed for the Eagles in recent weeks.

Blues’ manager Mick McCarthy has long been an admirer of the diminutive midfielder and admitted earlier this month that he would take Williams back for a second loan spell at Portman Road, should he be offered him.

However, Williams was singled out for praise by Palace boss Neil Warnock following the south London club’s 3-2 extra-time League Cup defeat to Newcastle, at Selhurst Park, and the veteran manager has hinted that the youngster has given him a selection headache ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with Leicester City.

“Considering we made 11 changes we performed very well,” said Warnock, who played Williams for the first 80 minutes of that game,

“I know people expected that would weaken us but the way the lads performed, I honestly don’t think it did.

“So we’ve got a lot of players going well and now I’ve got problems with who I can leave out to be honest.

“Guys like Barry Bannan and Jonny Williams went well so that will make selection tough, and that’s a great problem to have.”

Scowcroft was also at that game and believes Williams offers Palace a different dimension.

“He (Williams) had a good game and Neil Warnock will probably keep hold of him for the time being,” said the ex-Blues targetman.

“I am sure he will want to see how the next few results go, but Jonny is a type of player different to what Palace have.

“He is a talented lad and is a Neil Warnock-type player – someone who can run with the ball and create something out of nothing. I can’t see him letting him go at the moment.”

Meanwhile, Jonathan Parr is expected to keep his place at right-back against Rotherham tomorrow, as could Teddy Bishop, 18, who has filled the void left by Williams somewhat, with some intelligent displays.

As Town go in search of a fourth, straight league win, Parr admitted he had kept in touch with Williams and would love to see him at Ipswich.

“He is a great guy and footballer and I think he knows he is more than welcome here if he would like to go on loan,” said Parr.

“I would think he would like to come back (if the opportunity arose) but it is always difficult to say, and maybe another Premier League team would like to take him on loan.

“He had a great time when he was here though and everyone knows he did well.

“While I am here, I will absolutely try and push him in the right direction (Ipswich) but at the moment, he is doing well at Crystal Palace and trying to get in the team there.”

Parr is enjoying his first run of games in the Town team, having suffered a groin injury in pre-season.

“It’s been very frustrating,” said Parr.

“When you come into a new club you want to hit the ground running.

“I had an injury which kept me out for one or two games, then I was on the bench before I got into the team.

“If I worked hard I knew I would get my chance and you have got to take it when it comes.

“I have played in four good games and we have taken 10 points so it is going OK.”