A spokesperson for an overseas labour service which deals with player transfers said “it usually takes about two or three weeks for a footballer’s work permit to go through”. This means that if successful, Amir Karic could make his debut at Goodison Park.

Dan Botten, a Town fan and former employee of World Soccer, says of Karic: “He is a very attacking defender but very, very tempestuous. He's got a lovely left foot and will create a few assists and will also pick up a few bookings! He came on for Slovenia as a sub in their first Euro 2000 game against Yugoslavia and then started against Spain and Norway. He made the Slovenian domestic league team of the season in 1999/2000 - Maribor won the title by 19 points.”

“He played for Maribor in the Champions league last season and was sent off against Genk (Belgium) in Maribor's second leg of their 2nd qualifying round game. He then played against Lyon in both legs which Maribor won 3-0 on agg. In the group stages he played in Maribor's 1-0 win at Dynamo Kiev and againts Lazio (twice), Kiev (again) and Bayer Leverkusen.”

“He played last week in Slovenia's 2-2 draw in a World Cup qualifier against Faroe Islands in which Slovenia were 2-0 up with 4 minutes to go and Karic was booked! He also played in Slovenia's 1-0 friendly win against Czech Republic in Prague in August. I think he has actually played 31 games for Slovenia.”

“I see him as replacement/cover for Clapham with an ability to probably attack better rather than he defends. A competent signing and a potential crowd idol due to his wholeheartedness but I fear could do a Thetis.”

Thanks for that Dan.

Richard Naylor is due to play in tonight’s reserve game at home to Wimbledon. The striker is hoping for a successful outing after his tendonitis problems. George Burley said of the game: “it is an ideal game for one or two players including Richard Naylor, and it is great to see him back in training. He needs games as does John Scales and keeper Mike Salmon to recover from an operation. The Town squad is Salmon, Pullen, Nicholls, Croft, J Miller, Scales, Mowbray, Moffat, Abidallah, Niven, Reuser, Friars, Logan, Naylor, Midgley, Subrin and Artun.

Nillis has spoken for the first time about his double break in last Saturday’s game at Portman Road. He said “I did not see Richard Wright just before the collision, and there was no one to blame”. This view is contrary to Nillis’s father who launched a scathing attack on the town keeper saying “the goalkeeper was wild. He came out at Luc with too much force and I am very upset about that.” George Burley and Richard Wright will both visit Nillis once he is allowed to receive visitors, however, Martijn Reuser has already sent flowers.

American centre half Gregg Berhalter who interested town during the close season has been offered a contract by Nationwide League Division One side Norwich City. Town watch the US international but did not take their interest any further.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls