Chiedozie Ogbene joined Sheffield United on a season-long loan deal from Ipswich Town back in September.

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has said they have received no contact from Sheffield United about the possibility of terminating Chiedozie Ogbene’s loan spell at Bramall Lane.

Ogbene joined the Blades on a season-long loan deal from their Championship counterparts on the final day of the summer transfer window back in September.

The Republic of Ireland international had only recently returned from a long-term injury lay-off, meaning the temporary switch to Bramall Lane was seen as an opportunity for the 28-year-old to try and store some much-needed first-team football under his belt.

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However, a hamstring injury he sustained during the Republic of Ireland’s historic 3-2 win over Hungary during the November international break has restricted him to just ten appearances in a United shirt thus far. He was named on the bench for the first time since suffering the aforementioned injury when United lost 1-0 to Southampton on Wednesday night.

Amid suggestions elsewhere that Ogbene does not figure in Blades boss Chris Wilder’s plans, it was recently speculated that he could return to Portman Road ahead of schedule. However, McKenna, speaking ahead of Ipswich’s visit to Bramall Lane on Saturday afternoon, has said the Suffolk-based outfit have received no indication from the Blades that they would like to send him back.

McKenna clarifies United’s stance on Ogbene

“No, it’s not been communicated at all,” said McKenna, as quoted by TWTD.

“He was unlucky with his injury on international duty because he went out and he was getting games like we wanted him to get and he wanted to get, that was important for him and was growing into the season and building up form and did well for Ireland.

“And it was unfortunate to pick up the hamstring injury. He’s back now and hopefully we’ll get to catch up with him on Saturday, but there’s no change in the status there.”

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It has been reported by the East Anglian Daily Times that no recall clause was inserted into the deal that saw Ogbene move to Bramall Lane earlier this season, meaning both clubs would have to mutually agree to terminate his loan.

Ogbene featured in Ipswich’s opening two Championship matches, plus their Carabao Cup first round exit at the hands of Bromley, back in August, meaning, for example, he could not return to Ipswich this month and be sent out on loan elsewhere for the remainder of the season, with players limited to representing just two clubs in a single season.

Ogbene, of course, is unavailable to face his parent club on Saturday afternoon.