TWTD understands that the Blues have offered terms to out-of-contract Luton Town left winger or left-back Jake Howells. Town have been keeping an eye on the 21-year-old since the 2010/11 season and were spotted watching him in action in January when they were believed to have made an enquiry regarding the Wales U21 international.

After a spell as a youngster at Watford, Hemel Hempstead-born Howells progressed through the ranks at Kenilworth Road. He has made 133 starts and 39 sub appearances, scoring 14 goals, since making his Hatters first team bow in May 2008.

In addition to four Wales U21 caps, 5ft 9in tall Howells previously made four England C (non-league national side) appearances, scoring one goal.

Luton have held talks with Howells regarding a new deal with manager Paul Buckle confident he will sign - “I think we’re well on the way now and I think Jake will sign for us, I really believe that" - and other clubs may also have firmed up their interest, Charlton and Peterborough previously having been linked. Despite Howells being out of contract, the Hatters are entitled to compensation as he is under 24 years of age.

Howells's Wales U21s team-mate Elliott Hewitt is due at Town for the first time on Wednesday as he continues his rehabilitation from the hip operations he underwent while with Macclesfield.

Hewitt admitted to a touch of first day nerves in a tweet but says he is looking forward to it: "First day at the new place tomorrow, very nervous but can't wait to get going."

Meanwhile, we understand Town are amongst a number of Championship sides interested in out-of-favour Southampton winger Jason Puncheon.

The 26-year-old’s former loan side Blackpool and Charlton are also believed to be amongst the much-travelled former MK Dons, Plymouth, Millwall (loan), QPR (loan) and Barnet man’s suitors.

Winger Michael Jacobs, whose move from Northampton to Derby was confirmed earlier today, has said that terms were offered by two other clubs, neither of them Town, who were reportedly one of a host of sides chasing the 20-year-old: "I had offers from Charlton and Peterborough as well but as soon as I came to have a look around the facilities at Derby, I knew this was the place for me.”

The Blues are also thought to have been amongst various Championship clubs to have been monitoring Jason Roberts’s situation at Reading earlier in the summer, however, the 34-year-old, a key man in Paul Jewell’s Wigan side, is expected to sign a contract extension with the newly-promoted Royals.

Elsewhere, former Town keeper Shane Supple has dismissed rumours that he’ll be joining the Blues for sessions during pre-season training, although told TWTD he will be in Ipswich later in the summer: “I’ll be about, but I won’t be training.”

Supple now plays Gaelic football having retired from association football in August 2009 at the age of 22.

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

bedsitfc added 06:11 - Jun 27 really looking forward to the coming season, i think as the season starts and average age of our squad will be a few years lower which is what most of us wanted. paul jewel is doing the right thing in not trying quick fixes but we will have long term plans. do i think we will get promoted this year? no, but do we want to go up too quick and be the prem whipping boys?
0

bigolconnor added 06:51 - Jun 27 Sweet. The more youngsters the better. Jewell has this season to prove that he can manage at Ipswich. If we do well then genius to him, if we don't then at least we have a young and more experienced squad for next seasons prem push with a different manager.
0

itfc1981 added 07:19 - Jun 27 Sindre94 Shane O'Connor?
0

bluelady added 08:26 - Jun 27 Tractor Girls is "Seasone" some kind of extended season? Jewell cannot win can he, goes for old players he is ripped to shreds, now signing younger players and you rip him to shreds again. Don't forget we are talking about two players here, not an entire team he still has the experience within his existing squad so giving a good blend. Who knows what the new season will bring, i am not saying we have an amazing squad as it stands, but i for one will withhold my judgement until at least a few games into the season.........

0

Karlosfandangal added 08:27 - Jun 27 Like all this for the future stuff but still feel we need some for now players. Murray is a striker for the future but we could do with another now striker, Hyam and Carson are for the future too Need a couple of centre backs but no links to Town yet. All good stuff but I can see us pushing for a top six at the minute as we have the same team as last year. It all depends on who we sign

0

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 08:30 - Jun 27 Er, aren't some of you jumping the gun a bit here? We have "offered terms". That doesn't mean he will accept them or that someone else won't come in with better terms. Still, sounds promising and I hope it works out.
0

commuterblue added 08:32 - Jun 27 ahhh Jamie clapham. Those REALLY Were The Days. This is good news, another young player - not sure what this means for Daryl Murphy - or josh carson for that matter who often played wide? i'll judge the goalkeeper and central defenderb recruitment on day 1 of the season - but I wouldn't have minded one or either by now.... by all means pick up young attacking players when they come available but these must be for the longer term - our issues last year weren't a lack of goals....

0

jas0999 added 08:44 - Jun 27 May be okay for the future and am all for building. However, we desperately need players for next season - particularly a GK and a couple of CB's as currently only have one available one at the club. That's shocking! It would seem we are being beaten to the signature of players that other clubs want. Time for PJ and Clegg to step up and build a team capable of challenging the top 6. A disappointing Summer to date.

0

lilcornishblue added 08:56 - Jun 27 balls to him have dos santos instead much better in that position
0

RegencyBlue added 09:31 - Jun 27 Rather depends on exactly what terms Clegg has offered as to whether this progresses or not I imagine.
0

brian_a_mul added 09:35 - Jun 27 We have reportedly made him an offer, I'm sure he has a few other offers on the table. He is not an ITFC player until he signs the dotted line! He would provide back up covering LB & LM. Murphy would still be first team (wide left or up front). With Hewitt and hopefully Howells we have full back spots well covered. As for Shane Supple, would love to see him back but a'int goina happen.

0

walberswick added 09:59 - Jun 27 Well said @bluelady, balanced and sensible post.
0

bestblue added 10:10 - Jun 27 Great to see people remembering "long head" not sure he is a role model for technical skills, but a reilable member of the squad.
0

marcussmith93 added 10:25 - Jun 27 Be nice to see if this deal happens. But still need a Goalkeeper for me should be Scott Loach. Need 2 Centre backs a Right back a Midfield and Striker maybe a good shout but I dont think would come someone like Kyle Lafferty looks like he is going to be a free agent soon be a good partner for Chopra and good option to put out wide as well.
0

Wickets added 10:28 - Jun 27 Yes nothing wrong with being patient, though PJ did fire up expectations with his quote of"get then in early" and we welcome the signing of these younger players but the worry over no keeper or rightsided centre back is a very real one!!
0

BillBlue added 10:44 - Jun 27 Yes well said Bluelady, but Walberswick, what has happened to you, got a new girl friend or something? This lad looks good and would be a good move if he joins us. COYB
0

Hockley added 10:58 - Jun 27 Glad to see us after youngsters, but are we any closer to signing a couple of quality central defenders and a play-making midfielder that we need when the season starts in only 6 weeks time.
0

nitroblue1970 added 11:45 - Jun 27 Can this guy play centre back then? I think were Ok on the left side? GOALKEEPER AND DEFENDERS PLEASE!!!!
0

RegencyBlue added 13:00 - Jun 27 My Luton supporting friend says this guy is potentially a good prospect but needs better players around him to be able to judge for sure. Worth a shot but, as others have said, I will feel happier when we have a GK and a couple of central defenders in place!
0

simonsays added 13:05 - Jun 27 I know the outcome of this story before it unfolds. Howells signs for ...Championship club despite interest from Ipswich Town.
0

buryblue77 added 13:24 - Jun 27 Billblue, haha you're probably correct. So how is the new lady Walberswick? Now, I'm not having a moan and I think it's great picking up youngsters who can potentially take us forward or make us a healthy profit when and if they're sold. My only problem is that you have to hava a balanced team, youngsters for the raw talent and energy, 25-32 should be the age range of the majority of the team because they have both the experience and even in the upper age range of 30-32 most of them still have the legs and a couple of over 33's just to provide that extra experience. We need to look to the future, but we also need a core of proven players who can stop the slide and start to push us on. Now for a GK, CB, LM, LM and CF (possibly a CM) of players in the 25-32 age range please. Maybe a lot to ask for but too many too young could be just as bad as too many too old.

0

saxon added 13:37 - Jun 27 Jason Puncheon would no doubt become "Suffolk Puncheon" on the headlines here.
0

TractorBoy666 added 17:37 - Jun 27 No problem Phil.
0

Blogs 296 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls