Town central defender Alex Bruce is off to Italy, according to a report in one of Sunday's tabloids. Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni is believed to have recommended the 24-year-old to Serie A trio Genoa, Napoli and Fiorentina.

Bruce, who has rarely featured for Town this season, is out of contract next June which means he can speak to other clubs from January.

Talks have been ongoing with his agent since the summer and continued earlier this week, but manager Jim Magilton recently admitted that the former Birmingham man could be sold when the transfer window reopens.

Meanwhile, former Drogheda central defender Graham Gartland, who TWTD revealed had been training with the Blues earlier in the week, is also interesting Scottish sides St Johnstone and Hamilton, as well Town's 2001 Swedish UEFA Cup foes Helsingborgs IF.

Gartland, who was with the Blues a week ago, is likely to spend time on trial with the various clubs before making his move in January.

The 25-year-old has been released from his Drogheda contract early due to the club's major financial problems. Last year's Eircom Premier League champions recently went into examinership (Irish version of administration) having been unable to pay its players.

Further to the story earlier in the week regarding the pay freeze for off-field staff at Portman Road, a national newspaper is reporting that additionally a bonus due if Town win promotion has been cut from 10% to 5%.

Town are also looking to cut academy costs over the next year. We understand that this could see some of the younger sides scrapped with a concentration on the more senior academy teams.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls