Boss Jim Magilton is hopeful that he will be able to unveil a new member of his squad by the end of the week. The Town manager is on the look out for at least one striker, a right-back, a midfielder and a loan goalkeeper during the January transfer window.

Magilton told the club site that he is making progress: "It's an ongoing process at the moment, but I'm hopeful that we will have at least one new face here by the end of the week.

"The player concerned is someone I have admired for a long while and he will certainly bring the attitude that I want at this football club.

"He will definitely improve the squad and has all the qualities that I look for in a player.

"I am determined to take this club back to where it belongs, the Premiership, and want winners at Ipswich Town. Players who despise losing, who hurt when the team is beaten.

"He has that attitude and hopefully we will get him, but if it doesn't work out, we have other irons in the fire."

The player concerned could be Cork City midfielder George O'Callaghan, who has been on trial with the Blues since September. Town are waiting on the Eircom League side's response to an offer made towards the end of last week.

We understand that the Blues are also close to the completion of the signing of a striker, one of two which could join Jim Magilton's squad before the month is out.

Magilton says he is also aware of interest in some of his players, with Gavin Williams and Alan Lee having caught the attention of other bosses: "We are looking at players all the time and it's understandable that clubs will look at our players as well.

"I'm not surprised. They have both done well this season, but we've certainly received no contact from anyone about them."

Sunderland have completed the £2 million signing of Arsenal striker Anthony Stokes. The Irishman's decision not to return to Falkirk for the second half of the season is likely to see Darryl Knights join the SPL side for a five-figure fee.

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