Jay Stansfield reveal may be final nail in coffin for Birmingham City player: View | OneFootball

Highlights

Birmingham City’s capture of Jay Stansfield was seen as a coup by many at St Andrew’s after he joined on loan from Fulham in the summer transfer window - and the youngster has not disappointed in his time in the Midlands. But his excellent form has come at the cost of another Blues star, which could have ratification in the future.

The Fulham starlet was on loan at League One outfit Exeter City last season in what was an emotional affair in turning out for the same club that his late father, Adam, played for throughout the majority of his playing career.

Stansfield impressed in Devon, and with nine goals in 28 starts from the wing, the time was right for him to make the step up to the second-tier. But whilst that's gone swimmingly for both him and the Midlands club, Stansfield's strong turnouts have seen one current star suffer in Scott Hogan. And should Stansfield stay at the club, it could be the final nail in the coffin for Hogan's Birmingham career.

Jay Stansfield transfer latest

Speaking earlier in the week, Tony Mowbray admitted that there were clubs interested in taking Stansfield out of his hands and higher up the Championship table - though the newly-appointed boss urged Stansfield to stay as he would continue garnering playing time; thus improving any chances for the youngster to play in the Premier League.

Mowbray said: “I have been trying to get hold of Marco the last couple of days. I get on well with Marco Silva and I’m pretty sure he would have been telling me if there were any issues or problems.

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

“If he wants to play in the Premier League then he needs to be playing in the Championship. And you have to be careful sometimes when the perception of a more successful club come along, nearer the top of the table. Maybe you’ve got to be careful you don’t go there and play two games of the last 19, whereas 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. But there is a very tight window for things to happen now if needs be.”

Reports had linked Stansfield with promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town, with Kieran McKenna seemingly keen on the 21-year-old's signature. It's clear to see why; seven goals in 24 games for a side that struggled to create chances under beleaguered boss Wayne Rooney is a superb return and at an attacking team such as the Tractor Boys, his talents could be invaluable.

But if the star does stay with Birmingham, he is likely to get more game time. Conor Chaplin, George Hirst, Omari Hutchinson and more have played their parts to make Ipswich the second-highest scoring team so far this season, and whilst he would likely play some part at Portman Road, he's already a star man at Birmingham and his decision must be weighed up.

Why Scott Hogan may suffer

It's quite clear to see that Hogan isn't getting the minutes he will be wishing for at St. Andrew's this season, 18 games - with just one start since the end of October - has seen Hogan struggle for minutes in the Midlands.

Should Stansfield leave to join Ipswich or another interested party, it would give Hogan the space to excel and get back to his best alongside striker partner Lukas Jutkiewicz. But with the Blues undergoing some poor form under Wayne Rooney, they've been dragged to the bottom half of the table - and so they will be doing everything they possibly can to keep the youngster, which would continue to limit Hogan's playing time.

Furthermore, with his contract up at the end of the season, it could spell real trouble for his Birmingham career going forward, and it's almost probable that Hogan will be moving on at the end of the season.