Town chief executive Derek Bowden says boss Jim Magilton's job will not be under pressure if the Blues fail to win promotion this season. Bowden says the club are targeting a push into the Premier League within two seasons, not one.

The chief executive said: “Jim is under no pressure to succeed this year. When the investment was concluded in December we were not in a play-off place and we were really looking towards next season. As it happens, performances on the pitch meant we were in a position to be challenging, so it made sense to invest.

“There is no time-bomb hovering over Jim. It would be crazy to get rid of him in the summer.

“He has done remarkably well with no money until January and we are still challenging. The plan has always been over two years.”

Meanwhile, David Healy is widely tipped to be Jim Magilton's first choice replacement loan striker now that the David Nugent deal has broken down.

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