Reports this morning say that Town and James Scowcroft have held clear the air talks and that the club well aware of Leicester's interest in the striker. Neither seems keen for the West Suffolk man to leave, but usually reliable sources have told TWTD that a deal with Leicester could well be in the cards.
Last week Leicester manager Peter Taylor made it clear that he was interested in Scowcroft something David Sheepshanks admits is very real: "We are aware of the the very firm interest in James Scowcroft but we are not keen to sell. James has been in to duscuss his future as he is aware of the speculation. He has indicated that he may be interested in pursuing his other options but has not made a formal transfer request."
Scowcroft himself said: "The speculation kept cropping up so I went in to see the manager to have a chat about what was going on. He was very open with me and I know there was interest from Leicester earlier in the summer. But now that has died down and I just want to concentrate on preparing for the new season with Ipswich Town. I have never said that I want to leave and have not made any transfer requests. I enjoy being at Ipswich - this will be a big season and I want to play a part in it."
However, we are told by someone who usually knows that the two clubs have discussed Scowcroft moving to Filbert Street with a fee of around the £3 million mark mooted. As widely reported last week Taylor sees Scowcroft as his main target should the John Hartson deal fail, something looking increasingly likely with West Ham now also after the Coventry player.
The situation is looking very similar to the David Johnson deal last season with a player seemingly unhappy at a lack of first team football. As with the Johnson deal reports of interest emanated from the buying club with Town not keen to sell, but with a deal being concluded at the end of it.
Despite the comments from Sheepshanks and Scowcroft we wouldn't be at all surprised to find Scowcroft in a Leicester shirt next season.
Town's Assistant Academy Director Paul Goddard has been offered a job at old club West Ham. The former West Ham striker has been lined up by Glenn Roeder as his first team coach and Goddard is weighing up his options.
Goddard has been at Town since moving from Millwall on a free when brought to Portman Road, ironically, by former West Ham manager John Lyall. Goddard said: "The talks are ongoing and of course I'm very tempted by the opportunity to coach in the Premiership. But I have been at Ipswich for nine-and-a-half years and have a lot of feelings for the club. I'm enjoying working with the Academy, which has gone very well, and I can see it being in fine fettle for years to come."
Goddard is expected to make his decision soon: "I have to weigh up how I feel. There is not timescale but obviously it will be better for all concerned to reach a decision quickly."