Italian keeper Matteo Sereni will return to the Blues for the beginning of pre-season training on Wednesday. Sereni, on loan at Brescia last season, would prefer to remain in Italy, however up to now no buyer has been found.

Sereni's wife Silvia, who is also his business manager, says he will try to win a place in Joe Royle's side: "Matteo has been told he has to go back to Ipswich by the manager and he will do as the manager tells him.

"He would, of course, prefer to stay in Italy but if he has to stay at Ipswich he will work hard and will show he is the number one. Matteo is not happy about having to come back. He feels he wasn't treated very well towards the end of his stay last time.

"There is no money in Italy to buy players, it is in a terrible state and we have not heard of any interest from any clubs in Spain.

"He has no problem with the Ipswich Town supporters, who were fantastic towards him while he was there, but he is sad about coming back."

The player himself says he always had a good relationship with both fans and players at Portman Road: "I have no problems with the people of Ipswich, they were very good to me and I always got on well with the players so it will not be awkward for me when I see them all."

Town are keen to get cash for the 28-year-old but would also like to avoid having to pay his £22,000-a-week wages for any lengthy period. Brescia, Sampdoria and Lazio have all been linked but none of them were able to pay the £1 million-plus fee the Blues are after. With the Italian season not starting until the end of August there could yet be moves for Sereni this summer.

The Parma-born player moved to Town in the summer of 2001 from Sampdoria for £4.8 million.

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