Can City hang on to Welsh?

More than three weeks into his loan spell at Leicester City the question arises, will Andy Welsh be allowed to stay until the end of the season?

Theoretically his registration holders Sunderland can recall the winger any time after 28 days.

Welsh is quite highly regarded by the Premiership strugglers and both they, and the player, hoped his spell at Leicester would help him regain match fitness.

In the event, although he has played a small but sometimes significant part in three successive victories, Welsh has only been in action for about an hour of those games, as a second half substitute.

With Sunderland having rid themselves of manager Mick McCarthy, but not seen their fortunes improve, there must be chance that Welsh will return north, especially as he's not being used much.

That would be a pity. His presence has been a flicker of light in what, despite excellent results and several outstanding goals, remains a team that is more functional than exciting.

Click Club Forums, click 100% football for fans chat. Click Vital Links, Click Football Leagues for access to other club sites.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.