Town have confirmed that Cork City midfielder Colin Healy is close to joining the Blues. Meanwhile, former West Brom defender Carl Hoefkens has confirmed that he is very much a Town target and was at the club earlier in the summer.

As we previously reported, Healy underwent a medical at Portman Road yesterday and manager Roy Keane told the club site that the deal is close to being completed: "We had permission from Cork on Tuesday to speak to Colin and I had a chat with him yesterday.

"He's had a medical and we are waiting for the results of that and he's now discussing personal terms. Hopefully, they will be finalised very soon and I expect him to be an Ipswich Town player at some stage today."

Belgian international Hoefkens, who we reported was interesting the Blues on Monday, says he recently spent a short spell at the club: "I came to Ipswich for a trial three weeks ago but there was a bit of confusion really.

"I thought I was just coming for a day or so to prove my fitness but Ipswich wanted me to stay and train with them. I had already promised to go to Belgium, France, Holland and Germany.”

Hoefkens, who is a free agent having been released by the Baggies at the end of the season, says there has been no subsequent contact but would be interested in joining the Blues: "I believe they have the ability, facilities and ambition to go up and will be in with a good chance of doing that.

"I'm ready to be involved in a team like that and would like the opportunity to win promotion and be in the Premier League again.”

Meanwhile, Town continue to be reported to be in a battle with Sheffield United for Manchester City striker Ched Evans. According to a Yorkshire-based newspaper this morning, the Blades have submitted a new £1.75 million offer for the Welshman.

Former Town target Dean Whitehead is reportedly close to completing his move to Stoke City from Sunderland.

Elsewhere, former Town reserves player Chris Hogg has been made captain of Hibernian. Hogg left the Blues four years ago without making a senior appearance.

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