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Town Hopeful on Kightly as Best in Talks
Monday, 29th Aug 2016 19:59

TWTD understands Town are hopeful of completing the signing of Burnley winger Michael Kightly before the transfer window closes at 11pm on Wednesday, while talks are ongoing with trialist striker Leon Best regarding a deal.

The Clarets are unwilling to allow Kightly to move on until they have added to their squad, but are expected to make signings before Wednesday’s deadline.

The 30-year-old, who previously played for boss Mick McCarthy at Wolves, was with Tottenham as a youngster and moved on to hometown club Basildon United and then Southend before making his mark in non-league with Grays Athletic, with whom he won the FA Trophy.

In 2006 Town boss McCarthy took him to Molineux, where he was a key player in their 2008/09 Championship title-winning season.

Kightly, who has a year left on his contract at Turf Moor, moved on to Stoke City in August 2012, then joined Burnley on loan in September 2013 and helped them to second spot in the Championship and into the Premier League.

The former England U21 international made the move permanent the following summer and was a member of the squad which, following their relegation in the previous campaign, topped the Championship last season to return to the top flight.

Kightly’s only appearance so far this season was in the 1-0 EFL Cup loss to Accrington Stanley last Wednesday. He was an unused sub as the Clarets lost 3-0 at Chelsea on Saturday.

As previously reported, TWTD understands that Kightly’s Burnley team-mate Lukas Jutkiewicz - also an unused sub at Stamford Bridge - is on Town’s list of potential replacements for striker Daryl Murphy, who joined Newcastle United at the weekend.

Meanwhile, we understand the Blues are in talks with trialist Best regarding a contract, probably to the end of the season, the 29-year-old having impressed boss McCarthy during his week at Playford Road.

It seems likely Town and the former Ireland international, who scored for the U23s in last Monday’s 3-2 home defeat to Birmingham City, will agree terms.

Elsewhere, Crystal Palace winger Sullay Kaikai is reported to be interesting Brentford, who hope to take him on loan.

The 21-year-old, who was watched by Mick McCarthy earlier in the summer, was erroneously claimed to have been spotted at Portman Road on Saturday watching the Blues defeating Preston.


Photo: Action Images



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muccletonjoe added 20:01 - Aug 29
Sounds really hopeful
0

Seablue added 20:05 - Aug 29
Doesn't set the pulses racing. Why isn't Kightly doing the business at Burnley?
6

oscarwhiting added 20:05 - Aug 29
Thanks, but No thanks. kaikai please.
1

floridaboy added 20:06 - Aug 29
Shame Fulham and Wolves are talking to Chris Martin. Would have liked him as a replacement for Murphy
8

iaintaylorx added 20:08 - Aug 29
Yes to Kightly and for goodness sake Evans, splash out a few bob on a decent stiker please to replace Murphy! Best and Jutkiewicz are not the answer! I'm not a big fan of Mick, but to be fair to him he has shown that when he spends the money, they prove to be a good purchase - look at Webster and Ward!

Give him some money because sadly, nowadays, you have to spend a fair bit to get in the right players and not rely on loans and free's who nobody wants!!
18

Pettitt10 added 20:08 - Aug 29
Would be a top signing at this level, fingers crossed!
0

BlueGoonie added 20:08 - Aug 29
Quality player at this level, not past it at only 30, had his fair share of injuries but if he's fit I'd take him in a heartbeat.

An experienced player like that to learn from would not only push Grant and Ward for places but would help both our young wide players develop.
7

iaintaylorx added 20:09 - Aug 29
And also, I know he'll be staying in London, but surely to god, we are a bigger pull for KaiKai? That is if we were in for him in the first place though...
2

tractorboybig added 20:09 - Aug 29
ambitious here,
best replacing murphy,
must be going for promotion
4

ArnieM added 20:09 - Aug 29
Kightly doesn't look particularly fit in that pic either. carrying a bit of poundage since spending so much time on the sidelines?

Guess we'll need to trust Micks judgement .
2

bostonusablue added 20:10 - Aug 29
I knew freebie Best would be Murphy's replacement. Can we get an owner who will spend some money, please?

And, before all you Marcus lovers tell me that he is spending money on running the club, I know that. Owner's are also expected to use funds to buy players, too.

I've said it before, and will again, without major investment in the team we will just tread water in the Championship for years. Is that what we want for Town because I know I don't.
15

jas0999 added 20:10 - Aug 29
If cheap freebie Leon Best is the replacement for £3M Murphy, then Evans and MM should be bitterly disappointed.
15

blueboy1981 added 20:15 - Aug 29
Two more world class players - in talks ........ !!!!

How do we contain such excitement ? ........ some will be euphoric - as always.
13

jonbull88 added 20:19 - Aug 29
@bostonusablue what about the teams that have invested that also are just "treading water". I want to see town fight at the top end of the table and do it there own way, I prefer to be the "underdog". I continue to ask the question of we spent £3-4m on a couple of people and stayed EXACTLY where we are would that be better as we have spent money?
3

GTRKing added 20:19 - Aug 29
Hopefully we can get Knightly...

Best is not the answer to our striker problems we need someone even if it's Lukas Jutkiewicz

not good if we don't use any of Murphy's £3ML
2

leahcar88 added 20:19 - Aug 29
What world class players
I've thought all the players mentioned including the cheap freebies, would do nicely.
0

bluelodgeblue added 20:20 - Aug 29
Typical Evans old cheap and cheerful!
3

Mark added 20:23 - Aug 29
I think Kightly and Best are both players worth signing BUT we need to add a quality striker to replace Murphy by Wednesday or I will be very disappointed. Best is a bit of a gamble and with McGoldrick injured that leaves only Pitman who scores goals...with Sears and Varney not used to hitting the net.
4

carlisleaway added 20:23 - Aug 29
Taking on Leon Best is a backward step, money is a big factor and can see us in the Championship for many years to come if this is the Best !!! we can get.
Another negative step by McCarthy.
4

topguy added 20:24 - Aug 29
when he played the other day look bright and put some good balls in, and why are we assuming best is murphys replacement, this was in talks before murphy left. there is 2 days left and also jutkiewicz is mention if burnley get bamford then maybe can have him, that id be happy wth. lest be positive that means we have spent nigh on 3-4 million this year to me that's a lot more investment than last year or the year before.
1

12th_Man added 20:24 - Aug 29
Stop talking about it and get them signed
0

manualthetisfanclub added 20:25 - Aug 29
Not overly impressed about kightley, past his peak! As for Leon Best as murphys replacement, you cannot possibly compare the two, he couldn't lace up big murphys boots! Bitterly disappointed if he did sign! For goodness sake show some ambition! No wonder attendances are dropping because signings like this would not inspire much faith!
4

No32 added 20:26 - Aug 29
Ffs... Boring.... Uninspiring..... Former wolves chum..... Yawn....
Christ alive....
3

DEANTAZ added 20:29 - Aug 29
3 million in Evens pocket cheap player freebie's what is Ipswich Town coming to now! Every body around are spending money all we get are over the hill players and freebies. So happy I DID NOT RENEW MY SEASON TICKET LIKE 2000 OTHER FANS...... Seems like every year we sell a player and the goes straight into Evens pocket..... Why is the money NOT BEING INVESTED BACK INTO THE CLUB FOR BETTER PLAYERS? The way the club is being run will not be long until we are in league 1!
-10

Edmundo added 20:29 - Aug 29
Don't panic, this could well be what Mick wants the media to hear, meanwhile he's signing someone else up. I'd be sorely disappointed if he let Murphy go without a plan for a replacement (Best- well I think we all agreed with the Radio Suffolk phone in guy!!)
5


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