Birmingham City boss Wayne Rooney has insisted that Sunderland and Ipswich Town target Jay Stansfield will stay with his side for the rest of the campaign, as far as he is aware.
Ipswich and Sunderland both want to add a striker to their squads in the upcoming January transfer window and they have set their sights on Fulham loanee Stansfield.
Stansfield has scored seven goals in 22 games for Birmingham City this season, but the forward has a clause in his contract that allows Fulham to recall him in January.
Rooney admitted that Birmingham have been in touch with Fulham regarding the situation of the Sunderland and Ipswich target and stated that, to the best of his knowledge, Stansfield will spend the rest of the season with the St. Andrew’s outfit.
But he admitted that it would be out of their control if Fulham decided to trigger the recall option to recall the player.
“Ultimately, we have been in touch with Fulham”, Rooney told Birmingham Live.
“As far as we’re aware, he will be with us.
“Fulham have a window where they can pull him back.
“If that’s what they do then it’s out of our control.”
The Birmingham boss stated that Fulham have a small window in January to recall Stansfield and stressed that the Cottagers should be happy with the way the player is performing this season with them.
When asked about the duration of the period, Rooney added: “I’m not too sure off the top of my head.
“It’s a small window.
“I would imagine Fulham can only be delighted with the goals he’s scored here and the experience he’s getting.
“He’s getting a lot of minutes so we’re really hopeful that continues.”
Ipswich have stepped up their striker search in the market, with George Hirst’s injury and Sunderland’s struggles in front of goal this season have forced the Black Cats hierarchy to make signing a forward in the upcoming window a priority.
