Town have confirmed that the signing of Málaga central defender César Navas could be completed later today. Earlier, Spanish reports indicated that the clubs weren't too far from agreeing a fee for the 27-year-old with Málaga wanting a €300,000 (£200,000) fee.

Boss Jim Magilton told the club site: "The talks are at an advanced stage and I reckon we will know one way or the other whether César is coming by close of play today.

"It's a big move for him and there is a lot to weigh up, so it was always going to take time, but it's getting to decision time now.

“There are terms still to be agreed but we are confident we can overcome this and that he will be playing for us from October onwards.”

Navas broke the third metatarsal on his right foot during the friendly at Crawley while on trial with the Blues, but Town are happy that this will not prove a long-term problem.

The Blues boss says the period out of action will give the former Real Madrid B player time to settle into life at Town: “He is not in this country in the moment but if he is signed he can come to Portman Road and we can have the opportunity to bed him in before he plays competitive games.

“If the signing doesn't happen then I have other options to bring in defensive cover and they will be a loan player from a Premier League club. But at the moment it is Navas who we are working on signing before Friday.”

Town are also considering whether to extend Ian Miller's loan spell with Darlington. Miller's initial month with the Quakers is up and the Blues may want the former Bury Town player to return to Portman Road as cover while Richard Naylor and Navas are injured and Tommy Smith is away at the FIFA U17 World Cup.

Magilton has also commented on Brighton's interest in midfielder George O'Callaghan, who is understood to be keen on a move in order to play first team football. The Town boss says the Blues would not stand in the ex-Cork City player's way if he was keen on a move to the Seagulls, who he impressed in the recent reserve game between the clubs.

The Town boss says Brighton, who have also been linked with Matt Richards, are the only club to express an interest in O'Callaghan. Reports earlier in the week claimed Sheffield Wednesday were after the Irishman but this has now been denied by both clubs.

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