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Ince will only move to Liverpool for regular starts

Tom Ince (left) is one player likely to move in January © Getty Images

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Paul Ince has insisted that his son, Blackpool winger Thomas Ince, is ready to play in the Premier League - but believes there is no point returning to Liverpool if he will not get immediate first-team opportunities.

The Reds have been strongly linked with a deal for their former trainee in the January transfer window, after seeing Ince emerge as one of the most dangerous attacking talents in the Championship since being allowed to leave the Merseyside club in 2011.

While remaining coy on his son's future, Paul - who enjoyed his own stellar career with Liverpool, Manchester United, Inter Milan and England - is adamant there would be nothing gained by the 20-year-old moving to a side where he will not be guaranteed regular starting opportunities.

"There is no point Thomas going to a Premiership club and not playing football," Ince told Sky Sports News. "That will just stunt his development. Where he goes he will have to be involved and have the chance to get game time.

"So if you say Liverpool, you say Man United or you say Barcelona, there's no point going to any of those clubs if he's not going to play football. He might as well stay at Blackpool and keep playing week-in and week-out."

Liverpool are believed to be in advanced negotiations with Blackpool over a deal worth up to £6 million for the youngster, but Ince's father is advising the youngster not to be in any rush to make the step up to the next level.

"Not at one time have I said he's going to Liverpool," Paul noted. "Thomas has not at one time said he wants to leave Blackpool Football Club.

"I just feel he is ready for the Premiership - whether that means he is going to go in January, or at the end of the season, or at the end of next season, who knows."

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