Richie Towell linked with a Championship move, but he could get a game for Brighton this weekend

Richie Towell looks set to make his long-awaited return to the first-team this weekend,

Towell is in-line to play a part for the Seagulls in their FA Cup third-round tie against MK Dons on Saturday. The Dubliner made his debut for Chris Hughton's side in the same stage of the competition last January. However, one substitute appearance in a Championship play-off game aside, Towell has yet to feature again for the first-team. A knee-injury and heavy competition for midfield places haven't helped Towell, who signed for Brighton after a stunning final season in Ireland. However, his manager has suggested he'll make an appearance this weekend. "We have an FA Cup tie against MK Dons on Saturday and we look forward to seeing him in that game," Hughton told RTE. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/814968283610959872

"It's been difficult for Richie, because of the competition that he has for places in his position."  "We were looking forward to the pre-season, to giving him a lot of games in the position we want him to play in and he got injured and missed a fair chunk of that period, which set him back a little bit. "But he's been very much in and around it. At times he's been on the bench. Very much close to that first-team squad but just found it difficult to get the games that he would like."

However, Towell's chances of holding down a long-term place in Hughton's team could be diminished if the club sign Ruben Loftus-Cheek on-loan. The Championship high-flyers have been linked with a move for the Chelsea midfielder as they seek to gain automatic promotion to the Premier League. A short-term loan move of his own may benefit Towell in the long run, and Ipswich Town are reportedly interested if Brighton are prepared to sanction the move. Charlton Athletic are also said to be interested in the talented midfielder. Mick McCarthy tried to sign Towell in 2014, when the player was at Dundalk. The 25-year-old scored 29 goals in his final season in Ireland, winning a league and cup double, before joining Brighton. The Ipswich manager admitted ahead of their FA Cup tie against Lincoln that they are in the market for January signings, but finding it difficult to complete deals as clubs are reluctant to do business.

"So far we’re not having any joy, we’re just getting the same custard pies in the face," McCarthy said.

"Why is that? “I could give you a litany of reasons - they haven’t got their players, they’re looking to sign somebody in, they haven’t got a big enough squad, he’s in for cover, I’ve got an injury or a couple of African Nations [call-ups mean other players aren’t available], there are loads of reasons why.

"And they’re legitimate reasons why, I’m not giving them as excuses. All the reasons I would have used or have used in the past."