Released defender Fabian Wilnis has revealed he could still have a role to play at Portman Road next season. Wilnis is deciding whether to take up a position as a club ambassador or continue playing professionally elsewhere.
The Dutchman, who is reported to have been offered a one-year deal by Blue Square Premier side Grays Athletic, says he is considering his options: "If I take the tempting Ipswich Town offer it will mean I will not be able to play full-time.
"I want to carry on playing and do some coaching with a view to 2009/10 as I want to be in good shape for my testimonial game.â€Â
Wilnis, who is currently on crutches and out of action for three weeks, says he has persuaded Frans Thijssen to make a return to the Portman Road turf for his August 2009 game, while he is working on getting Arnold Muhren back into a Town kit.
Elsewhere, Nuremberg striker Angelos Charisteas, who according to his agent Town no longer are no longer interested in signing, doesn't appear any keener on joining Stoke City: "Let's wait and see what happens. My situation is known but I am not sure whether Stoke is the right team for me.â€Â
Town boss Jim Magilton has been looking for two strikers all summer with Kevin Lisbie, who scored yesterday's winner against West Brom, already added to the squad. Magilton has also targeted Crewe's Nicky Maynard but said last week that he wouldn't be drawn into a bidding war for the 21-year-old, who he feels has been over-valued by the Railwaymen.
Magilton is also looking at adding another centre-half, having decided against offering a contract to Czech trialist Roman Hubnik, while left midfield appears to be another area where the Town boss will continue to look for new recruits.
Rudi Skácel's move to Town has made no progress for a few weeks, while Gary Roberts looks set to join Huddersfield. Magilton confirmed earlier in the week that a contract has been offered to on-trial left-back Ben Thatcher and that talks have gone well.
The Blues also have Honduran trialist Emilio Izaguirre at the club at present. The 22-year-old, who has been unable to play in matches as he hasn't been given international clearance, is a left-sided midfielder or full-back.
Meanwhile, Town's youngsters crashed out of the Dana Cup at the quarter-final stage on Friday, losing 4-1 to Norwegian side Lillestrøm. The Blues, who fielded an U14 side in the U15 section of the tournament, had beaten another Norwegian side Vidar FK in the previous round on penalties.
Town's U17s are in action at the Northern Ireland Milk Cup this week when they face County Down and Californian side South Coast Bayern in the group stages.
The Blues have also entered a team in this season's Umbro Galway Cup Elite Section, an U15 competition, which they won last season. The competition takes place at West of Ireland side Salthill Devon, the club with whom Alan Lee's father Harry used to play, between August 5th and 9th.