Murphy Due at Portman Road - Ipswich Town News

Celtic’s Daryl Murphy is expected at Portman Road this afternoon to complete another season-long loan switch to the Blues. The deal is not yet done but we understand the clubs are close to finalising the terms of the Irishman’s third loan spell at Portman Road.

The 29-year-old was an unused sub for the Bhoys in their Champions League victory over Helsingborgs IF last night but only as the SPL club were short on cover due to injuries. We understand he was due to fly south this morning.

Murphy’s Celtic contract is up at the end of the season and the clubs have been negotiating the proportion of his wages that Town will pay during the year ahead.

The Irish international has always been keen on a return to Suffolk with his family having settled in the area during his two previous spells.

At the end of last season, Town boss Paul Jewell said he wanted Murphy back at Portman Road for 2012/13 but felt that a permanent deal would be beyond the club’s means with the midfielder or striker on a big money at Parkhead.

What to read next:

Akpom: I Always Had My Mind Set on Ipswich
Chuba Akpom has revealed he always wanted to sign for Town this summer despite nearly joining Championship rivals Birmingham City.

U18s at Palace
Town’s U18s face Crystal Palace at the Eagles’ training ground on Saturday afternoon (KO midday).

Ipswich Town v Sheffield United - Predictions
Have you predicted the Blades score yet? Seventy six per cent of TWTD members are predicting a Town win this evening, 14 per cent a draw and ten per cent an away win. The most commonly predicted result is a 2-1 win to Town with Hirst the first scorer but what do you think?

Gray in New Zealand Squad For U20 World Cup
Blues keeper Henry Gray has been named in the New Zealand squad for the U20 World Cup which gets under way in Chile later this month.

Akpom: Time to Kick On From Now
Town forward Chuba Akpom believes the Blues’ slow start to the season is not a cause for concern ahead of Friday’s match against Sheffield United at Portman Road.

Town Host Table-Propping Blades Targeting First Win
Town host bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United live on Sky on Friday evening looking to bring a number of unwanted records to an end (KO 8pm).

[Podcast] Life's a Pitch TV - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Life's a Pitch TV team is now available.

McKenna: I Can See the Thinking Behind Play-Off Expansion Proposal
Town manager Kieran McKenna says he can see the thinking behind the proposal to extend the Championship play-offs to six clubs.

McKenna: International Break Has Been Beneficial
Blues boss Kieran McKenna says the international break has been useful to help some of the recent signings settle in, however, with a number of regular starters away it wasn’t possible to do too much directly working towards Friday’s home game against Sheffield United.

McKenna: The Next Challenge is Building a Team Supporters Enjoy Watching and Are Proud Of
Town boss Kieran McKenna says the challenge is now to build a team that the club’s supporters can enjoy watching and be proud of following a “difficult” transfer window in which the squad underwent greater change than had been anticipated.