Richard Wright was left out of the West Ham first team squad which played a friendly with Hampton and Richmond Borough on Thursday evening, prompting speculation that the former Blue could be closing in on his return to Portman Road.

Robert Green started the Hammers' 4-2 victory over the non-leaguers with Jimmy Walker replacing the former Canary in the second half.

TWTD understands that Town hope to complete two deals on Friday, although it seems more likely that Kevin Lisbie and Rudi Skácel's signings are nearer to being finalised than Wright's move from Upton Park.

A fee of £500,000 has been mentioned in recent weeks with TWTD first breaking the news that Town were again keeping an eye on Wright back in March.

Meanwhile, Jim Magilton says Crewe Alexandra may be in danger of valuing striker Nicky Maynard at a figure higher than clubs are willing to pay: "Nicky is someone we like and someone we feel has a lot of potential, but it may be that Crewe price him out of the market.

"It is an inflated market as we know and, no disrespect to any lads that have gone for big money, but look at the prices paid for Iain Hume and Martin Paterson.

"Championship clubs are spending money and in order to be in the mix we need to spend. We are not frightened of doing that, but we have to make sure it is the right one.

"Nicky has scored a lot of goals at that level [League One] and it could be he can step up - it is something we have to consider.

"But either way we are not going to pay over the odds for any player.”

Crewe have reportedly valued Maynard at between £2 million and £2.5 million.

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