Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has confirmed that he expects Manchester United defender Brandon Williams to return to the club within the next fortnight.

Williams, who joined the promotion-chasing Tractor Boys on a season-long loan deal last August, returned to United last month for a 'medical assessment'. Prior to his return to Carrington in mid-January, the left-back had started just three games since the start of November.

The 23-year-old encountered a series of knocks and illnesses which contributed to his lack of starts. Though talk of his loan deal at Portman Road being cut short surfaced throughout last month's transfer window, it has been decided that he will remain in Suffolk for the remainder of the season.

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"We're happy that decision has been reached," said McKenna, as quoted by the East Anglian Daily Times. "He's still at United, he's probably going to be another 10 days, two weeks maximum there while he finishes off his recovery.

"We're hopeful then that we'll get back a Brandon Williams in a better place from a physical point of view and we know that can be a big addition to the group. He can hopefully help us in the latter stages of the season."

Williams, who has scored two goals during his loan spell with the Championship side, has racked up 17 appearances in league and cup so far this season. However, he has made just five appearances in total since the beginning of November.

Though Williams is a left-back by trade, the former Norwich City loanee has also stored a collection of appearances at right-back under his belt this season. He scored an outstanding solo goal from the right-back berth in Ipswich's 4-2 win over Preston North End in October.

Ipswich are currently second in the Championship table, less than 12 months after clinching promotion from League One. They are 10 points behind table-toppers Leicester City and one point clear of third-placed Southampton.