Ex-Manchester City defender Steve Howey believes a loan move to the Championship would benefit Liam Delap.

The 18-year-old was in scintillating form for Manchester City’s EDS squad last season, as he scored scoresheet.

After his incredible form last season, Delap has been linked with a temporary move away from the Etihad with the likes of West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City two clubs mentioned as to where he could play his football next season.

With examples of players in the past going to play Championship football and then return to the first team at their parent club, Howey believes a loan move would benefit Delap.

Howey told The Transfer Tavern: “You look at Mason Mount, you look at Kane, all these players have gone out on loan and I had times where you’re playing week in, week out. For me the Championship is a ridiculously hard league, it’s just relentless, constant games, tough opponents. 

“We’ve just been speaking about Freddie Woodman who’s gone out and done that and now is a possibility. I think it would be a great idea for him to go out because you cannot really see him get much game time, whereas if he goes to a Championship club, Pep can watch him closely, monitor everything, speak to them pretty much all the time and see his development.

"It would do him the power of good, but that’s just my opinion, it just depends on the player.”

Whether Delap stays at the Etihad Stadium after the transfer window closes or heads out on loan, he will be hoping for plenty of minutes and another brilliant season in front of goal, telling Sky Sports“As a footballer you just want to play as much as you can and that’ll be my target this season, just to play as much as I can.”