TWTD understands that Town are set to name former Southampton defender Richard Hall as a full-time academy coach.

The 34-year-old ex-Kesgrave High School pupil and lifelong Town supporter was a trainee with the Blues in the late eighties but moved on to Scunthorpe before making a senior appearance.

A 1991 £200,000 transfer to Southampton - where he played alongside Jim Magilton - led to 11 England U21 caps, but his career was ended prematurely by injury in 1999, two years after joining West Ham for £1.4 million.

Bryan Klug's recent switch to first team coach saw Tony Humes promoted to his old academy manager's job and Hall, a part-timer with the Blues youngsters since 2001, will take on Humes's previous role.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls