Town will make a £1.75 million bid for Cardiff City central defender Roger Johnson, according to one of this morning's tabloids. The Blues are said to be turning their attention to Johnson with the move for Gareth McAuley stalling.

Reports yesterday claimed Leicester had accepted a £1.5 million from Town for McAuley, but this now appears to have been wide of the mark.

Jim Magilton has again confirmed that the Northern Irish international is in his sights, but a deal seems some way from being done: "I can't really comment on Gareth McAuley, although I think he could do a job for us. It's a case of watching this space. We need one or two more lads with experience.”

A fortnight ago Cardiff claimed they had turned down a £1 million offer from Town for Johnson, but the Blues said they had merely made an enquiry. The Bluebirds slapped a £3 million price tag on the 25-year-old's head, with Middlesbrough and at least one other Premier League club also believed to be interested.

Town added to their central defensive ranks yesterday with Dutch youngster Pim Balkestein signing from Heerenveen. The 21-year-old says there were other sides interested in signing him: "There was more than one Premier League club after me, and seven or eight Championship clubs, but once I had come over for a trial at Ipswich, I knew that I wanted to come here. The feeling was right.”

Balkestein thinks English football's more physical nature will be to his liking: "I like to tackle hard and play a hard defence, and I think that England will suit my style of play. Referees blow up to much in Holland.”

Elsewhere, Hull City have confirmed they are interested in reported Town target Péter Halmosi. However, manager Phil Brown says Plymouth's valuation is excessive: "He's certainly one that we would be interested in, but we have been given a quote by Plymouth that is way and above our estimation of the player.”

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