Town have made an approach to Waterford United regarding the signing of winger Jack Doherty. At the end of last month, TWTD revealed that the 18-year-old would join the Blues squad during last week's training camp at Carton House in Kildare.
Doherty stayed with squad until last Thursday when he went back to Waterford ahead of their game at Longford.
Blues scouts were at that match, in which Doherty scored from the penalty spot in a 2-1 defeat, and subsequently contacted the Airtricity First Division side about securing the left-sided wideman’s signature.
We understand talks are set to continue later this week with Town likely to have to pay a small fee for Doherty, who is contracted to Waterford until the end of December.
Waterford are currently subject to a winding-up order — relating to wages owed to former manager Stephen Henderson, father of the ex-Town loanee keeper of the same name — and are in no position to turn down an offer. Doherty himself is already acknowledging good luck tweets from friends.
Born in Clonmel, Doherty came through the youth system at Waterford and was promoted to the first team squad in August 2011. Since then he has established himself as a regular member of the senior squad.
Capped by Ireland Schools, Doherty was called up to an Ireland U19 squad for a training camp in Spain in March.
The youngster previously spent time training at Playford Road when a schoolboy and also had trials at Manchester City and Charlton at around the same time.
Tweeting at the end of his few days at Carton House, Doherty said he had enjoyed his time training with the Blues: "Loved it here, great bunch of lads, Ipswich. Good session [this] morning, now home to see a few pals.”
Meanwhile, ex-Town keeper Richard Wright has signed a one-year extension to his contract at Manchester City. The 35-year-old is yet to make a senior appearance for the Premier League side he joined last summer.
Elsewhere, former Blues striker Sam Parkin, 32, has signed for League Two Exeter City having left St Mirren at the end of last season.