Ipswich Town: Kieran McKenna backs Liam Delap to play for ‘biggest’ clubs in the world with ‘certainly a possibility’ he remains at the club next year

Kieran McKenna has backed Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap to play for the ‘biggest’ clubs in the world and says there is ‘certainly a possibility’ he remains in Suffolk next year.

The 22-year-old frontman has enjoyed an impressive season and has found the net 12 times in the Premier League since his summer move from Manchester City on a five-year deal for an initial £15 million.

A number of top clubs are interested in Delap who is expected to leave the Blues after Town’s likely demotion to the Championship, with his contract including a £30 million relegation release clause.

Asked about Delap’s future away from Portman Road, McKenna said: “That's not where our focus is. I don't think it's where Liam's focus is. His focus is on trying to get back to full health and get ready for Newcastle.

“It's a great game for him as it is for the rest of the boys who have never having played at that stadium before. I know he's really looking forward to it.

“Liam's in the same boat as everyone else. He's focused on the here and now, on the big games that we have and not too far in the future.

“If we put mental energy into that, if any player put mental energy into that, then it would be impossible to provide what we're going to need on Saturday.”

Following their 4-0 win at Portman Road in December, Newcastle are looking to complete their first league double over Ipswich since 1973/74 on Saturday (3pm).

Eddie Howe’s side are one of many clubs who have been linked to Delap, with Chelsea and Manchester United reportedly leading the way for the England U21 international’s signature.

McKenna said: “Liam's focus is still here and finishing the season as strong.

“As I've said before, I think there's certainly a possibility that he's an Ipswich player next year. So, I don't think anyone's decided on anything in anyone's mind.

“Can Liam play for the biggest clubs in the country, the biggest clubs in the world? He certainly can, I fully believe that.

“He's already shown the impact he can have at Premier League level in a team that has been fighting for everything and I think he can have an outstanding impact at this level.

“But he's also very young and he's playing his first season of Premier League football. He's not played a huge amount of minutes as a leading striker in a team before and he's still learning and getting better all the time.”

The Blues boss added: “So, what's right for Liam, what's right for Ipswich, all those factors will come into play in the summer and the right decision will be made.

“But he's happy and he's developing really well here. He has the potential and I think he will in his career go on to do some really, really good things.”

Asked about how strong the chances are Delap will remain at Town, McKenna said: “That's for conversations with the club, myself, Liam, his people and his family. So, I think that's private.”