While the final day of the transfer window has passed quietly at Portman Road, TWTD understands that the Blues are close to completing the signing of former Shelbourne winger Dylan Connolly.
We understand that Town are waiting for paperwork relating to the deal to be rubber-stamped with the move expected to be confirmed tomorrow.
Connolly joining the Blues comes as little surprise with his former club Shelbourne having tweeted - and then later deleted - a message wishing him well with Town on Friday: "Best of luck to [Dylan Connolly]. Hope everything goes well for you [at Ipswich Town].”
Subsequently quizzed regarding Connolly, who is believed to have agreed an 18-month contract, Blues manager Mick McCarthy wouldn’t comment on whether his addition was imminent, but later added: "If we do sign Dylan Connolly then I liked him [when he was on trial] in the summer, I thought he was a good player.”
Connolly was one of three Shels players who spent time on trial with Town during pre-season, featuring in the friendly at Braintree, along with defender Ryan Robinson and midfielder Adam McDonnell, 17, who joined the Blues in August.
In November, Town were reported to be ready to offer Connolly a deal during this transfer window but, according to reports last week, issues relating to the training compensation due to Home Farm and Bohemians, his clubs prior to his spell with Shelbourne, were holding up the move.
Under FIFA rules when a young player switches between national associations compensation is due to all the clubs who have trained him between the ages of 12 and 21.
Irish U21 international Connolly was a regular for Shelbourne’s first team as they finished second in the Airtricity League First Division (second tier) during the 2014 season, making 27 appearances and top scoring for the Dublin side with 12 goals.
He was named in the PFAI First Division Team of the Year and nominated for the PFAI Young Player of the Year award.
Meanwhile, we understand that there has been no interest in out-of-favour striker Paul Taylor since his return from his loan spell at Rotherham midway through January.
Speaking on Friday, manager McCarthy revealed that the 27-year-old, whose contract is up in the summer, hasn’t been back at the club since leaving the Millers and won’t be returning, regardless of whether he finds a new club.
Town will now have to wait until the ‘emergency’ loan window opens in a week’s time before they can offload the former Peterborough man and his weekly wage of around £10,000.
Elsewhere, former Blues skipper David Norris, 33, has left Leeds United after his contract was terminated by mutual consent.
Midfielder Jack Collison, whose short-term spell with the Blues ended last month, has tweeted his thanks to everyone at Portman Road.
The former West Ham man, who failed to make a senior appearance for the Blues having suffered a knee injury playing for the U21s in November, has remained training with Town while he got back to full fitness.
Massive thank you to everyone @Official_ITFC especially the players & staff. What a fantastic club. Hope to See u in the prem next yr... ⚽︖ Jack collison (@Jcollison31) February 2, 2015