Ipswich boss Paul Jewell says Connor Wickham is unlikely to return to Portman Road on loan this season, despite struggling to make an impact at Sunderland since his big-money move.
Wickham ended his time at Town when he moved to the North East last summer in an ?8million deal.
Unfortunately the 19-year-old only made five starts for his new side, leading to speculation he could be loaned out to get some first-team experience.
But Jewell has ruled the Suffolk side out of the running for his signature.
"I think we have got first call on Connor if he becomes a loan," Jewell told Sky Sports. "I also think we have got to pay three-quarters of his wages and we haven't got that type of money."