x

Henderson Linked With Blackburn Move - Ipswich Town News

Former Town loan keeper Stephen Henderson is being linked with Blackburn Rovers in a swap deal which would see ex-England keeper Paul Robinson move to West Ham in the other direction. Last week, Blues boss Mick McCarthy said that the Irishman could return to Portman Road for a second spell.

Speaking on Friday, McCarthy said: "Hendo’s still an option but it would have to be a 24-hour recall and that just leaves us a bit exposed.

"I’ve spoken to Sam [Allardyce] and we’re both open to that if that is the best we can both do. I don’t mean best [in a disparaging way] because he’s a good keeper, Hendo. If the best we can do is with a 24-hour recall, then we’ll do it.”

Former England man Robinson, who is no longer the first choice at Ewood Park, played under Allardyce at Blackburn and the Hammers boss rates him very highly. Similarly, new Rovers manager Michael Appleton will know Henderson well from their time at Portsmouth together last season.

Elsewhere, Barnsley manager David Flitcroft was delighted with Jason Scotland’s goalscoring debut in the Tykes’ 2-0 home victory over Millwall last night.

Scotland, who joined Barnsley on a deal to the end of the season on Monday having had his Town contract settled earlier in the month, came on as a sub in the 66th minute and netted the Tykes’ second goal a minute later.

Flitcroft said: "Jason's finish was exquisite, but I look at his all-round game, his intelligence, runs and link-up play and he said to me before the game: 'Don't worry about me Flick, I've got an unbelievable touch and my movement is great.'

"His talk is unbelievable and how relaxed is he in his whole approach? But what a lovely fellow.

"I've only known him 24 hours, but there's already an excitement round him and a calmness and I look forward to working with him because he might have found a home here."

We understand the Blues rebuffed loan interest from Barnsley before November’s deadline due to both clubs’ involvement in the Championship’s relegation fight.

Flitcroft was delighted with his side’s performance as a whole, adding: "Jason played his part in what was an incredible team performance.”

Town are now only four points from the relegation zone after Barnsley's victory and Bristol City's home win against Watford.

Meanwhile, ex-loan striker DJ Campbell’s future is still to be resolved with Crystal Palace boss Ian Holloway having ruled his side out of the running — "DJ Campbell won't be coming to us” — earlier in the week and talks with Hull having stalled due to the striker wanting a three-and-a-half-year contract.

Campbell wasn’t in the QPR squad for last night’s 0-0 draw with Manchester City because his father is unwell, according to boss Harry Redknapp: "DJ Campbell's father is very, very ill, so I wanted him to be with him.”

Earlier in the week, Redknapp said Campbell could move out on loan before the transfer window closes.

Blues boss Mick McCarthy had been interested in the 31-year-old returning to Portman Road, even after signing three other strikers, but gave up the chase when it appeared Town’s 10-goal top scorer had all but agreed a deal elsewhere.

Summer Blues target George Boyd is on the verge of joining Crystal Palace, the team he supported as a boy, from Peterborough, the clubs having agreed a fee. Boyd is talking terms with the Eagles.

What to read next:

Young: Even Before We Equalised I Thought We'd Go On and Win the Game
Ashley Young felt Town had enough chances to earn all three points after the Blues fell to a 2-1 defeat to Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium.
McKenna: It Feels Like We've Given the Game Away
Blues boss Kieran McKenna admitted it felt like Town had given the game away following their 2-1 defeat at Oxford United, rueing missed chances and conceding two poor goals.
Oxford United 2-1 Ipswich Town - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Oxford United 2-1 Ipswich Town - Match Report
Town’s six-game unbeaten run came to an end as they were beaten 2-1 by strugglers Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium. Mark Harris profited from an Azor Matusiwa error in the 24th minute to give the U’s the lead against the run of play. The Blues toiled having gone behind but levelled through Leif Davis’s excellent volley eight minutes into the second half, however, Town were caught short of numbers at the back as the U’s countered in the 77th minute, Przemyslaw Placheta restoring their lead, and the Blues were unable to find a second equaliser in the latter stages.
Oxford United 1-0 Ipswich Town - Half-Time
Mark Harris’s 24th-minute goal has given Oxford United a 1-0 half-time lead over the Blues at the Kassam Stadium.
Four Changes For Town at Oxford
Town boss Kieran McKenna has made four changes as the Blues target their first ever away league victory over Oxford United (Sky Sports, KO 8pm).
Oxford United v Ipswich Town - Chatroom Open
Join us in the chatroom to discuss the game as it unfolds with hundreds of other Town fans.
Blues Supporting Ipswich City of Culture Bid
Town have announced they are supporting Ipswich’s bid to become the UK City of Culture 2029.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Oxford United v Ipswich Town - Predictions
Have you predicted the Oxford score yet? Ninety three per cent of TWTD members are forecasting a Town win today, four per cent a draw and three per cent for a home win.