Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna says the decision to loan Republic of Ireland international Sammie Szmodics to Derby County was not based on football performance, but on maintaining dressing-room culture.
Szmodics joined Derby on loan until the end of the season on deadline day, having scored once for Ipswich this campaign after returning from a long-term ankle injury.
McKenna said the move was made in the best interests of squad dynamics, adding that it remains to be seen whether Szmodics returns in the summer.
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The 28-year-old links up again with former manager John Eustace, with Derby currently pushing for promotion.
