Boss Jim Magilton says he would like to bring former Drogheda central defender Graham Gartland to Portman Road, but is concerned at stalling the progress of young Dutchman Pim Balkestein. Gartland recently left the former Eircom League champions due to a financial crisis.

A month ago TWTD was first to reveal that free agent Gartland was training with the Blues, the 25-year-old subsequently spending time on trial with Burnley, while Scottish sides Hamilton Academical, St Johnstone and Kilmarnock, and Swedish clubs Elfsborg and Helsingborg are also reported to be interested.

Magilton says he was impressed with the Irish B international, who was first linked with the Blues in December 2007, and could offer him a deal in January: "I would like to offer Graham something, but I don't want to stand in the way of Pim Balkestein. Gartland is someone I really like for all the qualities he would bring to the football club.

"He is hungry and is a very good player. Graham is someone who always wants to improve his game and would be a valuable asset to this club. He brings a tenacity and aggression that will add to the squad.”

The Town manager's comments suggest that, as widely speculated, an offer for Gartland could depend on whether any senior defenders leave during January. Alex Bruce is widely expected to be on his way with his contract up in the summer and the club and his representatives so far unable to negotiate the terms of a new deal.

Last week, chief executive Derek Bowden told TWTD that Bruce could still be offered new terms by the Blues, but his departure may well be on the cards, with Town keen to achieve a fee for the ex-Birmingham man rather than allow him to leave on a free transfer in the summer.

Club captain Richard Naylor is also out of contract next season and like every member of the squad in that position Magilton says he will consider any offers which come in.

The Town manager is also considering sending Balkestein out on loan to gain first team experience, which could also open the way for Gartland to join the Blues.

Bowden told TWTD last week that talks with Gartland's representatives had taken place but that no deal had yet been offered. His agent says his player would definitely be interested in joining the Blues: "Graham would love the opportunity to play for Ipswich Town. He enjoyed his stay there and is hoping something can happen.”

Magilton also says that Celtic's Darren O'Dea is also player he rates, despite he and chief executive Derek Bowden previously dismissing reports of interest in the Irish U21 international on a number of occasions: "Darren is a really good player and someone I like. He is in Celtic's reserves at the moment but has a wealth of experience and could improve our squad. But I have to weigh all these things up against what we have at the moment.”

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