Keeper Kelvin Davis says that Sunderland still have a chance of signing him despite the deal appearing stalled after talks last week. The Blues agreed what chairman David Sheepshanks described as a “seven-figure fee” with the Black Cats last week and the former England U21 headed to the North-East to start negotiations.

Davis says that contrary to reports on Wearside he has not ruled out the switch with agent Jonathan Barnett continuing to speak with Sunderland: "I have left things with my agent and if it takes two hours or two weeks to resolve, I don't mind.

"When I spoke to Mick we sorted everything out football-wise, but negotiations can take time.

"We are sorting out the terms and the sooner it is sorted out the better as far as I am concerned.

"That way Ipswich will get the money they want. But we'll just have to wait and see what happens - it is all down to the terms."

Davis has also refute suggestions that he is unwilling to relocate to the North-East and it appears personal terms and interest from West Ham are the main stumbling blocks preventing the deal from going through. Sunderland are also in talks with released Manchester United keeper Roy Carroll.

The Hammers are understood to be ready to match Sunderland's offer to Town and a move to Upton Park is likely to be more attractive to Davis, with regular first team football looking more on the cards were he to join Alan Pardew's club.

Davis feels that Town second choice keeper Lewis Price is more than capable of taking over from him if and when his departure is confirmed: "Lewis proved against Leeds, in what was a high pressure game, that he could handle Championship football.

"With us going for promotion and in the circumstances he took over, it was a big game for him and he coped with it well, just as he did earlier in the season.

"I'm not sure what the gaffer will do if I leave, but if he gives the shirt to Lewis, I'm sure he won't let anyone down. He has shown he can handle Championship football."

Boss Joe Royle has already said that he will look to bring in another keeper to replace Davis, probably an experienced man on a free transfer. The introduction of transfer windows into the Football League next season means that an additional stopper is a must, with youngsters Shane Supple and Óskar Pétursson the only other custodians in the ranks.

Aston Villa keeper Stefan Postma, Birmingham's Ian Bennett and Fulham's Mark Crossley have all been mentioned as possible Town targets.

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