Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy is keen to extend Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ loan spell with the Tractor Boys, according to reports.

The talented 18-year-old winger, who joined the Championship side last August on a one-year loan deal, impressed in the first half of the league campaign.

An inconsistent spell of form saw him lose his place in the starting XI and despite a controversial voicemail left by his mother Jules, McCarthy wants to continue helping the youngster develop.

Ainsley, who has been at Arsenal since the age of six, is highly regarded by the coaching staff in north London – all of which are aware of his ability and potential to continue improving as he matures.

It’s not the first time that his mother has been involved in the headlines for the wrong reasons either. She was banned from the London Colney training ground back in April after assaulting two staff members – so he’ll be hoping that she can avoid any further controversy as he hopes to continue his development.

He turns 19 at the end of August and has featured heavily on the international stage since emerging at u17 level. As a result, it’s no surprise that McCarthy is hoping he’ll remain at Portman Road next term, having said that, he’s a “much better player” now for the 12-month experience he had in England’s second tier.

“We all saw what a good player he was at the start of the season, for the first half. I think he found it tough, so it’s up to him and his representatives.”

Maitland-Niles might feel he has unfinished business after the unceremonious manner of his loan expiring but, either way, a loan move would be again beneficial for a player hoping to emerge as a first-team player in the not-too-distant future.

Provided his mother can avoid any further controversial moments, allowing him to keep his head down and focus for the season ahead, there’s no reason why he cannot succeed in a tough environment.