Tony Mowbray breaks Jay Stansfield silence amid Sunderland and Ipswich Town transfer interest

Birmingham City manager Tony Mowbray has confirmed Fulham could still yet recall Jay Stansfield from his loan and send him elsewhere amid interest from Sunderland and Ipswich Town.

The two Championship promotion chasers are reportedly interested in signing seven-goal striker Stansfield on loan until the end of the current campaign. It's not the only time the 21-year-old has been wanted, either, as Birmingham beat 13 clubs to the summer signing.

Mowbray is feeling confident Blues will keep hold of Stansfield, who is happy with his time at the club so far, but no promises can be made. This is due to the "small window" of opportunity for Fulham to recall - as Wayne Rooney unveiled - still being ajar.

“No, it hasn’t closed," Mowbray told Birmingham World after Birmingham's 2-1 FA Cup third round win over Hull City. "I’ve been trying to get hold of Marco Silva over the last couple of days. I get on well with Marco. I’m pretty sure he would’ve been telling me if there were any issues or problems.

“I think the kid loves it here, ultimately. I had a one-on-one, I looked him in the eye. There are other interested parties but I think he wants to stay here and score goals. He likes the dressing room, he likes the players. I think he’s here just to progress his career.

“If he wants to play in the Premier League, he needs to be playing in the Championship and you need to be careful sometimes when the perception of a more successful club comes along near the top of the table. You’ve got to be careful that you don’t go there and play two games of the last 19. 

“There’s every chance he’s going to play just about all the minutes in this team. I think he’s in a good place here. I don’t know, there’s a small tight window for things to happen [Fulham to recall] if need be," Mowbray concluded.

Stansfield scored Blues' first goal against Hull on Tuesday as he struck with power into the roof of the net. The forward's celebration was passionate and - more importantly - appeared to show a desire to stay as he pointed to the Birmingham badge and pointed to the ground.

Fulham could still ruin the Blues party yet but, as it stands, Stansfield is a Birmingham player and is extremely likely to remain one at the end of the winter window.