x

Joe: Cash Still Tight - Ipswich Town News

Town manager Joe Royle has admitted that bringing in new players is no easy task given the tightness of the club's finances. Royle wants to add a striker and a midfielder to his squad before the new season starts.

Royle said: "After administration at this club we had to get the wage bill down from £17 million to £5 million and it is not an easy task to bring in players you want while having to adhere to these guidelines.

"But this is a great club and its survival comes first. I just have to do the best I can in the circumstances.

"It is a day-to-day situation really and very much a question of availability and wages. I am looking for a striker who can hold up the ball first and foremost and also a midfielder if possible."

This season is the first without a £5 million parachute payment since the club was relegated in 2001/02.

The exit of a number of higher-paid players has helped the financial situation but striker Pablo Couñago - signed on a Bosman at the top of the transfer market in 2001 - remains on a salary which on its own accounts for around a fifth of the club's annual wage bill.

Royle said last week that the Spaniard's wages were the equivalent to those of three players signed at current Division One levels.

What to read next:

Wilkinson in England U17s Squad
Recent Town academy signing Oliver Wilkinson has been named in the England U17s squad for three matches in the United Arab Emirates later this month.
Blackburn and Derby Kick-Off Times Change For Sky Coverage
Town’s home game against Blackburn Rovers and the visit to Derby County have switched kick-off times for live Sky coverage.
Boniface Named in England U20s Squad
Blues youngster Somto Boniface has been named in the England U20s squad for their friendly against Japan at Doncaster Rovers’ Eco-Power Stadium on Friday 14th November (KO 7.30pm).
Walle Egeli: I Feel I've Grown With Every Match
Town forward Sindre Walle Egeli believes he has improved in every match he has played and feels he is adapting well to life in the Championship.
Table-Topping U21s at Sunderland, U18s at Spurs
Town’s table-topping U21s are in action away against Sunderland this evening (KO 7pm), while the U18s are at Tottenham on Saturday morning (KO 11am).
Walle Egeli: In the Long-Term I'll Be a Number 10
Town forward Sindre Walle Egeli says he sees himself playing in a more central role longer-term at the Blues under manager Kieran McKenna.
Town Visit Swansea Aiming For Repeat of QPR Clinical Finishing
Town visit Swansea City on Saturday afternoon targeting back-to-back away victories following the 4-1 win at QPR a week ago and with manager Kieran McKenna looking for his side to repeat the clinical finishing from their visit to Loftus Road.
Hallgrimsson: No Reason to Doubt Szmodics's Commitment
Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson says he has no doubts regarding Blues forward Sammie Szmodics’s commitment to the Boys in Green, despite press and social media criticism after the 30-year-old was forced out of the squad for a third time this year ahead of the October internationals.
[Podcast] Life's a Pitch TV - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Life's a Pitch TV team is now available.
McKenna: Players From the U21s Training With Us Regularly
Blues manager Kieran McKenna has been impressed by Town’s U21s, who currently top Premier League 2, and says some members of the group have been training with his squad on a regular basis.