The former Arsenal trainnee, who has made 8 apperances for Town this season is turning heads with his perfromance's at Victoria Park and 'Pools boss Martin Scott is desperate to extend his loan:
"I've been delighted with him since he came to the club - he's a young lad with great talent," Scott said.
"We'd like to prolong it - his last scheduled game is next week against Walsall, so I'll have to speak to Joe Royle and see what his plans are."
He added: "He's highly thought of at Ipswich, but he's here to play games and if he continues playing like he's been playing here, he's going to get recognised.
"The fans have taken to him, as he's been the missing link for us up front with the unpredictability he brings when he's in possession."
McDonald has been enjoying his chance at regular first-team football but harbours ambitions of returning and setting Portman Road alight. Speaking to The East Anglian Daily Times, he said: “I have really enjoyed my stay with Hartlepool. Everyone here has made me feel very welcome and it has been a good experience for me.
“It has been great playing every week and to score my first league goal is an important step for me. I don't know whether I will be staying or not, it is out of my hands for the moment.
“It is up to the gaffer to decide if he wants me back to stay and it only comes down to me if the extension is granted and I will have to choose. It has been good here, but my ambition is to be playing in the Championship with Ipswich and playing and scoring regularly in the first team.”
It remains to be seen, at the moment, whether Joe will recall the livewire striker after Hartlepool's game against Walsall this weekend but with key personnel such as Sam Parkin a long term injury casualy and a busy Christmas schedule ahead, McDonald may be just the tonic that Ipswich need...