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Jim Still Wants Defender
Jim Still Wants Defender
Wednesday, 19th Sep 2007 12:56

Boss Jim Magilton has confirmed he is continuing his search for a new central defender. Last month, the Town manager narrowly missed out on signing Spaniard César Navas and more recently has been looking at bringing in a loanee from a Premiership club.

The Blues agreed a fee with Málaga for Navas but the move fell through after Racing Santander offered the 27-year-old terms which were well beyond Town's current budget.

Magilton told the club site that the search for defensive strengthening is still ongoing: "We are trying to get someone in and if an experienced defender became available, we would certainly look at that.

"Experience is vital in this league and if we had another old head at the back - someone who is a good talker, who could help settle us down and provide more composure - then that would be an asset to us.

"We have Fabian back now [after his three-match suspension] and Bam Bam is making good progress as well, but I think the squad would benefit if we could find the right sort of player to bring in. It's a question of finding that player and getting him here."

While a loanee is likely in the short term, TWTD understands the Blues are continuing their search for a more permanent solution overseas with chief scout Steve McCall due to travel to Poland to check out potential targets. In August, McCall and first team coach Bryan Klug were in the Czech Republic looking at possible new recruits.

Magilton's immediate target looks unlikely to be much-linked Aston Villa defender Stephen O'Halloran, who at 21 can hardly be called an “old head”.

The Town manager is looking forward to Saturday's home live Sky match with Coventry, the club managed by his close friend Iain Dowie: “It should be a great game as Iain likes his sides to play attacking football. He would love to get one over me, but I have to make sure that he doesn't.”

Town have no new injury worries, but Danny Haynes will serve the final game of his three-match ban for his recent red card in the reserves.

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


Photo: Action Images



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