TWTD understands that former coach Paul Goddard is set to rejoin the Portman Road staff. Goddard left Portman Road to become Glenn Roeder's assistant at West Ham in July 2001 but was sacked by the Hammers shortly after Alan Pardew took over.

Goddard joined Town as a player on a free transfer from Millwall in 1992. On retiring two years later, he joined the coaching staff and even had a spell as joint-caretaker manager along with John Wark between the John Lyall and George Burley eras.

At the time of his departure to West Ham he had been the assistant director of Town's academy. Late last season the one-time England striker did some part-time scouting for the Blues while he sought a new coaching position.

The appointment of a new coach has been on the cards since Tony Mowbray's departure to take over as manager at Hibernian late last month.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls