BLUES boss Jim Magilton has no intention of allowing international midfielder Veliche Shumulikoski out on loan.

Derek Davis

By Derek Davis

BLUES boss Jim Magilton has no intention of allowing international midfielder Veliche Shumulikoski out on loan.

Magilton last night insisted there had been no enquires for the Macedonian midfielder and he would not encourage any.

Reports from London yesterday suggested QPR had asked about Shumulikoski but Magilton dismissed that.

He said: “There has been no enquiry from QPR for Shumi or from any other club for that matter.”

Premier League side Fulham were understood to be monitoring Shumi's situation earlier in the year and a number of clubs will have noticed he has not figured in the first team since the draw with Sheffield Wednesday in January or started since the FA Cup win over Chesterfield at the turn of the year.

Magilton can empathise with the 27-year-old who is also worried how his continued enforced absence will affect his international future.

Magilton said: “I have spoken to the player and I can understand his situation. I have been there myself he supply wants to play football matches.

“He is only one injury away from a return to the first team and but if the right club came in for him with a loan offer that suited Shumi and us then I would give it some thought but at the moment he is very much an important member of first team squad.”

Magilton signed Shumi in January last year from Turkish side Bursaspor for an initial �600,000 that could rise to �1m, after he arrived on trial at Town with Norwich also looking at him.

Shumi has made 37 appearances, 29 as a starter netting one goal.

But with Tommy Miller carving out a niche as the deep midfielder, most recently combining with Alan Quinn in central midfield, Shumi has barely managed to even make the 16 as Owen Garvan is preferred on the bench.

Magilton is reluctant to let any of his senior players, apart from Shane Supple to go out on loan, especially to any of their Championship rivals.

With injuries mounting Magilton is keen to keep his options open.

Jon Walters is serious doubt for Town's trip to third-placed Reading on Saturday after picking up suspected ankle ligament damage in the goalless draw at Wolves.

Walters will have scan to see the extent of the damage once the swelling has reduced but the influential Blues forward is not expected to be available.

Danny Haynes is back in the reckoning, while Jaime Peters can play wide right as well if needed even though he is being converted to right back.

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk