Town manager George Burley is hoping for a quick conclusion to the Finidi George deal. The Nigerian is in Ipswich and may watch tomorrow's friendly with PSV.

George Burley said: "It would be great to reach an agreement with him quickly. It may be that it will happen today, it depends. If he does agree to join, a medical will then have to be undergone and then there will be the question of getting a work permit sorted out. He is a world-class player of the quality that we need to strengthen our squad. His visit was delayed because he was playing for Nigeria last weekend and a visa had to be arranged. It will be a big bonus if we can get him."

There is no possibility that Finidi will be involved in the Irish tour next week as his papers will take too long to go through.

It increasingly appears that the player George Burley made a failed bid for was Manchester United's Mark Wilson. Burley revealed the bid yesterday and said that the selling club refused Town's offer as they had a deal agreed for two players, including Town's target, agreed with another club.

Today it has emerged that Wilson and Jonathan Greening are to join Middlesbrough in a £4 million deal.

Burley first saw Wilson playing for United's reserves against Bradford last season, although he denied then that he had put a bid in for the 22-year-old.

The club have invited 30 youth players to the training ground ahead of the the East Anglian Asian Cup. The final will be held at Suffolk Police Headquarters on August 19th and the players will be at Bent Lane on August 11th.

George Burley said: "We wish them the best of luck in the competition - football at all levels

requires training and practice and I'm very glad we are able to offer them our facilities at our new training centre.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls