Hull City boss Phil Brown has backed up reports yesterday which claimed the Blues had dropped their valuation of striker Alan Lee. Town manager Jim Magilton subsequently said there had been no developments regarding the Tigers' move for the Republic of Ireland striker.

However, Brown told a Hull newspaper that the Blues have recently tried to resurrect the move: "The deal is still alive. The bid was put on the table, was turned down but remains very much on the table.

"They have now made contact with us and have now come down in their estimation of Alan Lee.

"It's not a game of bluff or a game of stick or twist, it's just a case of our estimation is where it's at.

"If Ipswich are happy with that estimation and are willing to accept the bid then he could still become a Hull City player."

The Tigers made an initial bid of £400,000 for Lee and then upped their offer by £200,000 a fortnight ago, but both bids were turned down by the Blues. Hull are understood to be ready to offer Lee a three-year deal worth £8,000-a-week.

Chairman David Sheepshanks said last week that the 28-year-old striker had turned down the new deal offered by the Blues in the wake of Hull's interest. Lee is understood to be settled in the area and in no hurry to move on.

Meanwhile, former Town loanee Simon Walton is reported to be close to making a £350,000 switch from Charlton to QPR.

Ex-Blue Kieron Dyer looks likely to leave Newcastle for “family reasons” this summer with West Ham again linked. Town are due an undisclosed percentage of anything the Magpies make above the £6.5 million they paid the Blues for the England international.

Get the fastest and most comprehensive Ipswich Town news service at ipswichtown.footballlatest.co.uk.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls