x

Hall Fitz the Bill? - Ipswich Town News

Town are one of a number of Championship clubs being linked with Wigan central defender Fitz Hall. The former Southampton, Crystal Palace and Oldham man's only appearance for the Latics this season was in their 1-0 Carling Cup defeat to Hull City.

The 26-year-old is also claimed to be interesting Charlton, Coventry and former club Palace with Wigan said to be keen to sell the Walthamstow-born defender.

Claims of Town interest is likely to be speculation based on Jim Magilton confirming that he has a Premiership loan defender in mind and is currently deciding whether to bring him in. If there is anything in the reports, the move would certainly be a loan with the widely quoted £1.5 million price-tag well beyond the club's current means.

Also said to be interesting Town is Paul Ifill, although the report claims the Palace winger is a Spurs player, presumably confusing him with Phil Ifil, who is a defender in the Premiership club's reserve side. The right-back or centre-half was linked with a move to Bournemouth in yesterday's papers.

Meanwhile, Howard Wells, chief executive of the IFA, Northern Ireland's FA, has confirmed that his organisation has contacted FIFA to question Alex Bruce's availability for the Republic of Ireland, as TWTD reported on Sunday.

Wells, who was Town's chief executive for a brief spell in 1999, said: "Alex Bruce is a player we have asked FIFA and the Republic of Ireland to clarify, but it is not about individuals, it is about the principle.”

The IFA have also questioned the Republic of Ireland credentials of Manchester United's Darron Gibson and Marc Wilson of Portsmouth, while Blackburn's Tony Kane has now decided to rejoin the Northern Irish set-up after representing the Republic at U21 level.

Bruce himself says the issue is a matter for the authorities to settle and that he has not been contacted by the FAI, the Republic of Ireland's FA, over the eligibility question. The central defender is currently on standby for Steve Staunton's squad ahead of their Euro 2008 qualifiers with Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

Get the fastest and most comprehensive Ipswich Town news service at ipswichtown.footballlatest.co.uk.

What to read next:

McKenna: Hirst Primed For Good Season
Town boss Kieran McKenna believes striker George Hirst is “primed to have a good season” for the Blues, the frontman having netted three times in the Blues’ two public friendlies.
Hirst: Scotland Call-Up Has Made Me a Better Player
Town striker George Hirst says he has taken a lot from being in the Scotland squad and feels the international recognition has made him a better player.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Town 'Willing to Pay Hackney £35,000-a-Week'
Town are reportedly willing to pay Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney £35,000-a-week, TWTD having revealed that the Blues had made an approach for the 23-year-old almost a fortnight ago.
U21s Defeated By Luton
A strong Blues U21s side was beaten 2-1 by Luton Town at Bent Lane in a pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon with Tommy Taylor's first-half strike cancelled out after the break by a much-improved Hatters side.
U19s Draw and Lose Final Games at Czech Tournament
Town’s U19s finished lost one and drew one of today’s place play-off matches at the Zlaty Kahan tournament in Czechia.
Hirst: Early Confrontation Sign of Morsy's High Standards
George Hirst has revealed he almost came to blows with departed captain Sam Morsy early in his Town career, but believes the incident was illustrative of the high standards maintained by the former Blues skipper.
Former Town Defender Ndaba Set For Serie A
Former Town defender Corrie Ndaba is set to join Serie A Lecce from Scottish Premiership Kilmarnock, according to reports in Italy.
McKenna: New Coach Stanislas Comes Highly Recommended
Town manager Kieran McKenna has spoken about the additions of new first-team coach Junior Stanislas and set-piece analyst Michele Aragona.
McKenna: Young Will Bring Experience, Competitiveness and Edge
Blues boss Kieran McKenna says new signing Ashley Young can give the club different things in different areas, among them his experience, competitiveness and his edge.