Manchester United loanee Tahith Chong set Erik ten Hag challenge by Birmingham boss Lee Bowyer

Birmingham City head coach Lee Bowyer believes Tahith Chong would be open to returning to the Championship club if he does not become a regular fixture in Erik ten Hag's plans at Manchester United next season.

The Dutch winger, who recently extended his stay at Old Trafford by a further year, has spent this season on loan at the St Andrew's club. Despite suffering a serious thigh injury that sidelined him for four months, Chong has proven to be an immensely popular figure during his time at the club.

He has only played 19 times this season, scoring one goal and grabbing three assists. However, his serious thigh problem, which required surgery, and a hamstring injury, which has forced him to miss the last five matches, have dented his progress.

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Nevertheless, he has shown flashes of his quality when fit and firing, meaning he has become an immensely popular figure with the Birmingham supporters. But with his loan spell at the Blues now on the cusp of reaching its conclusion, Chong will be looking to make a name for himself at Old Trafford next season under fellow countryman and incoming manager Erik ten Hag.

Although Bowyer has recognised that the winger will have ambitions to force his way into Ten Hag's plans at United, he has admitted that he believes Chong would be prepared to return to Birmingham. He believes he has improved this season and has enjoyed his time at the club.

"I think it's too early, this my personal opinion," Bowyer said, as quoted by Birmingham Live. "Tahith has to go back to Man United because there is a new manager.

"He has to show the manager and fight for a position to be in their squad – that's what I think. If it doesn’t work