Fans of transfer speculation will be disappointed to hear that the ongoing Marcus Stewart saga will crawl to an end this afternoon with the striker signing for Town.

The fee agreed by both clubs seems to be a lot lower than the £3 million referred to in many reports with somewhere around the £2.2 million mark likely. Stewart, who spent last night at the Belstead Brook hotel, is likely to to be offered a contract of around four years as talks continue this afternoon. The deal seems to be going through smoothly with no hold-ups thought likely.

Town manager George Burley said: "I know Marcus would be a great asset to us. People who score goals are a valuable commodity and I think Marcus might enjoy helping us win a place in the Premiership and then have the chance for the first time in his career to show what he can do at the top level. He has a sharp football brain. He is not just a scorer. His hold-up play is good as well."

Burley went on to reiterate that no Town player is likely to be sold this season.

Stewart is likely to make his debut on Saturday away at Barnsley and, ironically, will make his home debut against Huddersfield a week later.

Jim Magilton looks likely to return to the Town side on Saturday as his groin problem improves. Richard Naylor, the man likely to surrender his starting position to Marcus Stewart, had a recurrence of his groin problem Saturday and is doubtful. Mark Venus is another worry with an ankle problem. George Burley said: "The injury has been a bother to Mark for some time. It's a little worrying for the Barnsley game. He is having intensive treatment." Wayne Brown is his likely replacement.

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