x

Westy Joins Royle at Oldham - Ipswich Town News

Ex-Blue Ian Westlake has become the second player from Joe Royle's time at Portman Road to be reunited with their former boss at Oldham Athletic. Westlake joins Shane Supple, who made a loan move to the Latics until the end of the season yesterday.

Westlake leaves Cheltenham on loan with a view to a permanent move, having joined them from Leeds in January after a loan spell earlier in the season.

Royle watched Westlake in action for the Robins again Tranmere on Tuesday. Supple and Westlake are likely to make the Oldham debuts on Saturday, coincidentally also against the Birkenhead club.

Elsewhere, after allowing Alan Lee to move on to Norwich on loan until the end of the season yesterday, Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock will be offering an improved new contract to one of his other ex-Town strikers.

Shefki Kuqi is very much back in favour at Selhurst Park and Warnock says the club have made a renewed attempt to keep the Finnish international: "We've already offered Shefki a new contract and we will look into offering him another one.

"But because he will be a Bosman, if another club offered him silly money to join them then we would be in no position to offer him the same sort of money."

Lee is set to complete his move to Norwich this morning and it has emerged turned down the opportunity to join Sheffield Wednesday on a similar basis before making his switch to Carrow Road.

What to read next:

[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Town 'Willing to Pay Hackney ÂŁ35,000-a-Week'
Town are reportedly willing to pay Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney ÂŁ35,000-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.
Hirst: I Thought We Played Really Well, But Aberdeen Gave Us a Massive Challenge
Town striker George Hirst was pleased to add to his pre-season goals tally during the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
McKenna: Philogene Very Good Tonight, His Off the Ball Work Was Outstanding
Town manager Kieran McKenna was delighted with Jaden Philogene’s performance in the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.