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Downes Again Linked With Town - Ipswich Town News

Town have again been linked with a move for West Ham defensive coach Wally Downes. The 49-year-old former Brentford boss and ex-Reading and Southampton coach has been mentioned in connection with the Blues on a number of occasions over the last 10 days.

According to today’s report, Downes would cost Town £100,000 in compensation if they want to end the one-time Wimbledon striker's spell at Upton Park, which only began in November. Downes's situation could also be affected if Hammers boss Avram Grant is sacked, as is widely expected.

Paul Jewell is keen to add an experienced assistant to his backroom staff and on Friday the new Blues boss confirmed that his long-time associate Chris Hutchings is very much in the running for the role: "I’m going to bring in a senior coach to work alongside me. That will happen next week.

"Chris is a terrific coach and we’ve enjoyed success both at Bradford and at Wigan. Chris is most certainly well in the frame.

"I’ve got a couple of people to speak to and hopefully I want to get it nailed down no later than Tuesday if I can.”

Jewell has already appointed his former Bradford strike partner Sean McCarthy to his coaching team, while many of the incumbent backroom staff are set to stay at Portman Road.

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