Steve Morison has hinted that Cardiff City will need to recall players from loan this January.
Ryan Wintle and Max Watters, at Blackpool and MK Dons respectively, have both impressed enough so far this season that Morison may bring them into the fold to bolster the Cardiff City squad this January.
Under the terms of loan agreements, they can only be recalled during the transfer window, to allow for their loan club to find a replacement.
This has come as a consequence of the Covid-19 outbreak that is currently affecting the Premier League.
Under normal circumstances, Cardiff might attempt to bring short-term loan deals for young players at Premier League clubs, but there is much more uncertainty around their availability this January.
Cardiff may instead choose to look at their own youngsters, who they can much more easily recall from their loan deals to League One and Two clubs.
“It has to be done for the right reasons, not just for the sake of it,” said Morison, via Wales Online, indicating these players will be given game time.
Blackpool boss Neil Critchley was unsure what the future holds for Wintle, but hopes he can stay with the club for the rest of the season.
“We don’t know (what the future holds) because obviously he’s Cardiff’s player and they can recall him, that’s the agreement that’s in place in January which is normal for every loan player," said Critchley via Wales Online.
“It’s something we’ve discussed internally about Ryan, because he’s been brilliant for us.”
Similarly, MK Dons’ manager Liam Manning confirmed “nothing has been finalised yet,” in regards to Watters.
Cardiff find themselves in 20th in the Championship, with consistent good results hard to come by for Morison’s side.
Morison took over as permanent manager in November, following a spell as interim coach following the sacking of Mick McCarthy in October. Cardiff have won two, lost two and drawn one since Morison’s full time appointment.
The Verdict
This is a cost-effective way of increasing the size of the playing squad during a pandemic. However, the players also need to be of the required standard for it to be an actual improvement on the quality of the squad.
However, both Wintle and Watters have excelled at a lower level and are surely worth giving game time in the Championship if no other deals can be achieved.
Wintle has featured 17 times for Blackpool, and has received praise from his manager.
Watters has scored five goals from five starts, and six substitute appearances, for MK Dons this season and that extra firepower will be needed for Cardiff’s relegation battle this season.