Boss Jim Magilton is hopeful the Blues will sign former Charlton left-back Ben Thatcher, possibly as soon as today. Town offered the 32-year-old free agent a contract last week after he impressed on trial during the tour of Belfast.

Magilton says he and chief executive Derek Bowden will continue negotiations with Thatcher and his representatives: "We are looking to sit down and hopefully thrash something out.”

The Town manager is still searching for further recruits as the transfer window moves towards its final month: "I'm still on the lookout for one or two players. The phone is getting busier now as I expect.

"Managers are looking at their squads and figuring out who will be involved and who won't be.

"We have a couple of irons in the fire and if can get those in then we will be pleased and that will see us until January.”

Magilton will be keen to add another striker to his squad, probably someone to give the Blues more of an aerial presence in the mould of previous targets Angelos Charisteas, Kyle Lafferty and Shola Ameobi.

The Town manager says Crewe's Nicky Maynard is no longer in his plans, having signed Kevin Lisbie and having been put off by the Railwaymen's valuation of the player. Bristol City have also decided against signing Maynard due to his price tag.

Magilton has been looking for another left-sided midfielder with Rudi Skácel coming close to joining the Blues earlier in the month. That deal looks to have faded away, but with Gary Roberts set for Huddersfield, the Town manager could step up his search for a new left winger.

Last week, Magilton confirmed he would be interested in taking former Manchester United man Quinton Fortune on trial, while Honduran trialist Emilio Izaguirre plays at left midfield and left-back.

Magilton also wants another centre-half having taken a look at Czech Roman Hubnik last week but deciding against making a move for the FC Moscow man.

Meanwhile, Radio Suffolk have confirmed they will provide live commentary from Town's away games this season. Brenner Woolley will be joined by a variety of former Blues throughout the season including John Wark, Bryan Hamilton, Trevor Whymark, Alex Mathie and Kevin Beattie.

SGR FM will have exclusive coverage of home games and will also be at away games with Mick Stockwell joining commentator Mark Scott.

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