TWTD understands that Town and Celtic will hold further talks regarding Daryl Murphy’s future next week. The 29-year-old looks set to rejoin the Blues on a permanent basis this summer having spent 2011/12 on loan at Portman Road for the second time.

Town boss Paul Jewell initially played down the chances of the Celtic frontman returning to the Blues but when speaking to TWTD a month ago chief executive Simon Clegg hinted that a deal could still be done.

The Bhoys are believed to want £300,000 for the striker or midfielder, who was previously on loan at Portman Road in 2010 when a Sunderland player, but ultimately could allow him to leave on a free transfer to get the remaining year of his contract off their wage bill. Murphy is likely to have to take a significant pay cut to return to Portman Road.

Murphy, who also had trials with the Blues in the 2004/05 season before opting to join the Black Cats from hometown club Waterford United, who we understand he joined for a couple of training sessions last week, made 32 starts and two sub appearances for Town during 2011/12, scoring four goals.

Sources close to Murphy have told TWTD that the nine-times-capped Irish international and his family are keen to stay in Suffolk.

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

punch_bowl added 20:27 - Jun 2 no thanks, never done enough for me
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cobbolds added 20:29 - Jun 2 good player, good signing
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EatonBlue added 20:32 - Jun 2 yes - consistent - can head the ball - wants to play for us - get him in
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clive_baker added 20:33 - Jun 2 Yes please. Hard working, strong, goal threat from wide, good in the air, good with his feet, versatile and most importantly wants to be here. Good on him for that if he's willing to take a pay cut for the sake of his family and 1st team football unlike some I could mention. Would be an excellent addition. Hope we can get it done and follow it up with a proper goalkeeper, a CB partner for Smith and Wickham on loan and I will fancy our chances for top 6 next season. COYB

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casanovacrow added 20:34 - Jun 2 urrrgghhh, as much as we need a big guy in our team the guy is going to be stupidly expensive on wages and was anonymous for huge amounts of games last season and didn't score enough for a guy who used to be a striker. Spend the money elsewhere please
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J45 added 20:35 - Jun 2 would be a good signing but i am not sure if he is really the answer if we want to be pushing for promotion next season.
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blueblood66 added 20:39 - Jun 2 Excellent! I like Murph, strong and can go up front and give another striking option.
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Michael11 added 20:43 - Jun 2 He was ok as a loan signing but wouldn't have kept him permanently. Would like to see a bit more pace down the left side (carson if fully fit) he slowed alot of play down for me.
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Dennyx4 added 20:47 - Jun 2 Thought 2nd half of season with JET one side and Murphy the other we looked pretty good going forward. Would welcome him back as long as the wages are not too much. Also good to see a footballer wanting to play, rather than sit in the stands at Celtic.
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thebeat added 20:56 - Jun 2 Hes not bad, but we became so predictable at goal kicks punting it out to him every time.i think he would also hold the likes of josh carson back.we need a lot more pace in the team next season and murphy is a bit of a tortoise
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Bangor31 added 20:58 - Jun 2 if the wage is low, price is low great signing but doesn't really solve any of our problems, need a GK sooner rather than later imo and go all out to get a sound CB. Would love an owen deal :P
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alfromcol added 21:01 - Jun 2 Hi J45 Good to see you posting again
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hadleighboyblue added 21:01 - Jun 2 as others have said ,not productive enough .................4 goals and 3 assists was not enough for someone of his experience or his wages . he won't take us where we want to be , OK he can win high balls out wide , but we need more than that
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walberswick added 21:19 - Jun 2 If we can get him, no-one else wants him.
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evansblue added 21:30 - Jun 2 I think he did pretty well last season given how bad we were overall. He gives us another option but the key to our success will be who else we sign. Centre back, goalie, striker and a central midfielder. Need a whole season from jet and Martin as well
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ITFC_1_Fan added 21:32 - Jun 2 He is strong and works hard for the team but i wasnt convinced with his quality on the ball such as crossing. And he doesnt have any pace. However his pysical presence is quite effective in away games. I think its one of those signings where as long as he is on low wages it might be worth taking a risk.
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runningout added 22:22 - Jun 2 I must be have seen his iffy games....
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stewartwonderland added 22:24 - Jun 2 This would be a good signing if we can get him in on the cheap and he will be on lower wages. Already knows the whole team and would not need time to settle in. Gives PJ many options as he can play in several roles, striker or attacking midfielder, this is a no brainer, get him in!
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billlm added 22:26 - Jun 2 300k or less im happy he tried a lot more than some at the end of the season when there was little to play for, could be a little gem in a big push next season
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rogie_dog added 22:45 - Jun 2 Much underrated in my opinion. Almost an ever present which to my mind speaks volumes.
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Joetown95 added 22:47 - Jun 2 Excellent he was one of my favorite players last season really hope we sign him.
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CornardBlue added 22:51 - Jun 2 I thought he did well for us last season and if we could get him on free he would be a good squad player. But we do need more pace in the team which Darren lacks, with the scum falling apart and looking certain for relegation next season we must get the right players in and really go for it.
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Guthrum added 22:52 - Jun 2 He was part of our more effective second-half-of-season set up (36 goals in 23 games), along with JET, Martin and Chopra - would be good not to split that unit up. If the wages are not unreasonable and the fee is low or non-existant, well worth getting him back here. He knows the club and the set up, has already made 52 appearances for Town, his family are down here.
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Mark added 22:59 - Jun 2 If we can get him on a free transfer and an affordable wage package, then I'd welcome him back. Murphy is a hard worker and is good in the air, which is an important attribute that Ipswich have lacked over recent years.
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bluearmy4life added 23:04 - Jun 2 Would be a good signing for town looks like this will be another step forward. Just need a GK, CB, CM, ST?
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