First team coach Bryan Klug says "one or two" players will leave the club over the summer. Klug also expects a few new faces at Portman Road before the start of 2007/08.

Klug said: “One or two will be moved on to the mutual benefit of both the player and the club.

“And we will be keeping an eye on suitable players who become available.”

Possible departees could include defenders Sito and Scott Barron, neither of whom has been involved much since Jim Magilton took over as manager. Both players have a year left on their contracts but are likely to be allowed to leave if there are interested parties.

On-loan midfielder Darren Currie is certain to leave when his contract expires at the end of June and the former Barnet and Wycombe man is keen to win a permanent deal with Derby.

Jim Magilton and his staff will also have to decide whether to offer new deals to the likes of Ian Miller, Jaime Peters, Fabian Wilnis, Darryl Knights, James Krause, Sammy Moore and Martin Brittain, all of whom will be out of contract in the summer.

Peters, if as expected he secures a new work permit, and Miller look certain to be offered deals, while Wilnis's late season form could see the Dutchman, 37 in August, win another year with the Blues.

Brittain has made only one Town appearance since his free transfer from Newcastle last summer and looks likely to be allowed to leave, possibly to join current loan club Yeovil.

Darryl Knights, also with the Glovers at present, is another who looks to be on his way, along with James Krause, who has made little impact at Carlisle since moving to the Cumbrians on loan in November.

Midfielder Moore, the only academy player to make a debut for the Blues this season, may be offered another year in which to prove himself while spending time out on loan.

Both Klug and Magilton have said that Dean Bowditch, who still has a year left on his Town contract, remains in their plans, although that doesn't preclude the former England U19 international's departure should a particular offer suit all parties.

At last year's AGM, chairman David Sheepshanks set a target of Premiership football by 2009 when the interest holiday on the Norwich Union bond payments ends, but Klug says there's a lot to be done before the Blues can return to their former glories: “We face a long journey to become a force again.

“It has taken time to build a strong team spirit, which is no criticism of the players as we have nine newcomers that have had to gel.

“There are signs now that this is now coming together.

“And if we are to significantly improve what we have got we will need to spend a lot of money.”

The Town management will be hoping for no significant drop in season ticket sales and a windfall from the 20% of the profit the Blues are due if and when Darren Bent leaves Charlton.

Get the fastest and most comprehensive Ipswich Town news service at ipswichtown.footballlatest.co.uk.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls