Richard Wright has again re-iterated his intention to stay with Town should they be promoted to the Premiership. Wright said: "Hopefully, if we can get the results we need, Ipswich will be in the Premiership and I'll be with them." Wright has refused up to now to sign an extension to his current contract which ends in a year's time. Town are looking for him to sign for at least another year. Several clubs including Chelsea have been linked and he seems destined to leave in the summer shuld Town fail in the play-offs for the fourth time running.
Questions have been asked by Town fans about Keith Branagan's availability for the play-offs. Branagan joined Town on loan from play-off opponents Bolton as cover for the injured Mike Salmon, but has since signed a short-term deal with Town and so is now officially a Town player. He may well be seen as a replacement for Richard Wright should the Town number one leave in the summer.
John McGreal is definitely out of Town's play-off semi-finals with Bolton, although George Burley has suggested he may be fit for a Wembley final should Town make it. Burley has confirmed that Marcus Stewart and Mark Venus should be available for Sunday and that Richard Naylor's knee surgery has been put off until after the play-offs. He has also praised his three wing-backs (Jamie Clapham, Gary Croft and Fabian Wilnis) as well as adding that any further moves for loanees Martijn Reuser and Patrice Maurel will be put off until after the play-offs. Definitely on their way, however, are trialists Andy Wright and Eric Molloy. Molloy was an Irish midfielder from Manchester United and Wright a winger from Leeds.
Town have announced a pre-season friendly with AZ 67 Alkmaar for August 5th. Town's 1981 UEFA Cup Final rivals are currently seventh in the Dutch Premiership and will prove stiff opposition for Town.
There is specualtion that both Manchester City and Spurs may be interested in Matt Holland. His price is reported to be around the £3-£4 million mark. Holland recently signed a new four year deal with Town and it is unlikely that David Sheepshanks and George Burley would let him go, especially if Richard Wright or another player leaves. Certainly no transfer action will take place at Portman Road until the play-offs are over.
Town have been given 3,000 tickets for the away play-off at the Reebok Stadium. Ticket details were on yesterday's Newsnet and unsurprisingly sales are said to be brisk.