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Steijn Set for Heerenveen - Ipswich Town News

VVV-Venlo boss Maurice Steijn, among those to have been linked with the vacant Town job, is close to being appointed manager of fellow Eredivisie side Heerenveen, according to widespread reports in Holland.

Steijn, 44, was initially linked with the Blues last summer but with there appearing little foundation to the rumour.

Mick McCarthy’s recent exit led to further speculation that the former ADO Den Haag boss could be in the running to take over at Portman Road and he is currently fifth favourite at 14-1 with Bet Victor.

One-time midfielder Steijn has long been expected to leave his current club once Eredivisie survival is confirmed - which is now all but certain - after taking them up to the top tier of Dutch football last season. Heerenveen is now tipped to be his destination.

Lincoln boss Danny Cowley still remains the bookies' favourite at 5-2 ahead of Steven Gerrard, 5-1, St Mirren’s Jack Ross at 12-1 along with Tony Mowbray, while Frank Lampard is at 14-1 with Steijn.

Meanwhile, former Blues defender Matt Clarke, now with Portsmouth, is interesting Wolves, Hull City, Bristol City, Reading, Brighton and Hove Albion and Watford, according to the Daily Mail.

The deal which saw Clarke move to Pompey in the summer of 2016, and Adam Webster go in the opposite direction, is believed to include a clause which would see Town receive a percentage of the fee paid to the League One club for the 21-year-old defender if and when he moves on.

Elsewhere, former Lincoln defender Bradley Wood has been banned for six years by the FA Independent Regulatory Commission after deliberately getting himself booked in last season’s FA Cup ties against the Blues - the replay which the Imps won 1-0 at Sincil Bank - and Burnley.

Seven people, including two friends of the 26-year-old, who has been with Alfreton Town this season, had placed bets on him to be yellow-carded during the games.

Wood contested the charges regarding the bookings but admitted 23 other betting offences.

He was banned for five years for the match-fixing offences relating to the bookings and for a further year after admitting 22 charges of betting on the outcome of matches and one of passing on information. He has been suspended until March 8th 2024, fined £3,725 and ordered to pay costs.

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