Ipswich Town

McCall bullish on Ipswich chances
First team coach Steve McCall insists Ipswich can challenge for promotion next season - despite the potential loss of several players this summer. Darren Bent has joined Charlton while Kelvin Davis is in talks over a move to Sunderland, while out-of-contract pair Tommy Miller and Shefki Kuqi may leave. McCall told Town's website: "We've lost players before and came back stronger. "When Matt Holland and Hermann Hreidarsson left, we improved on our position the following year." He added: "Last summer, we lost the likes of John McGreal, Jermaine Wright, Martijn Reuser and Chris Makin, yet finished third. "I've no doubt the manager will look to bring in new players when things settle down with the out-of-contract players and Kelvin."

Royle confirms Forster interest
Ipswich boss Joe Royle has confirmed his interest in signing striker Nicky Forster from Reading. Royle also revealed he has not given up on keeping in-demand midfielder Tommy Miller at Portman Road. He said: "Nicky Forster is definitely a player who interests us but that is all I am going to say on the subject. "Nothing is imminent. I am on holiday but I'm not completely switched off. I am still talking to Tommy, Jim Magilton and Shefki Kuqi about their contracts."

Davis completes Sunderland move
Sunderland have secured the signing of Ipswich keeper Kelvin Davis for £1.25m. The 28-year-old arrived at the club on Tuesday and has agreed a four-year deal with the Wearsiders. Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy was delighted with his fourth signing of the summer and said: "This represents a tremendous signing for Sunderland. "Kelvin has played in the Premier League before with Wimbledon and he has played something near 40 games a season for the last four years." Town accepted a seven-figure offer from the Black Cats for former England Under-21 international Davis earlier this month. McCarthy added: "He was voted the best goalkeeper in the Championship last season and at 28 he is also in his prime age for a goalkeeper. "He has terrific ability and is experienced, so we're delighted to have Kelvin in our squad for the Premiership." Davis started his career with Luton, making over 100 appearance for the Hatters, before signing for Wimbledon for £600,000 in 1999. After four years he moved to Ipswich on a free transfer and has spent two years with the Tractor Boys. Davis added: "The personal terms took a little bit longer to sort out, but once I was happy with everything I had no hesitation in signing. "Sunderland are a huge club with great support and I am now really looking forward to next season and the challenge of keeping the team in the top flight." Milton Keynes Dons, formerly known as Wimbledon, will receive a sell-on fee as part of Davis' move to Portman Road in 2003. Davis joins Jonathan Stead, Nyron Nosworthy and Daryl Murphy as new signings for promoted Sunderland.

Magilton cagey on Ipswich future
Ipswich skipper Jim Magilton says he is unsure whether he will sign the one-year contract offered by the club. "I have been away for a week or so and will now sit down with my family and the people I trust and look at what lies ahead," said Magilton. "I know I have a big decision to make and it will be occupying my mind and I have no idea what way it will go. "I still feel I have plenty to offer on the pitch," added the 36-year-old, who is out of contract in July.

Miller agrees to join Sunderland
Sunderland have agreed terms with Ipswich midfielder Tommy Miller. Miller, 26, is away on his honeymoon, but his agent has continued negotiations in his absence. "Subject to him passing his medical next Wednesday, he is signing for Sunderland," said his father and agent Tommy Miller snr. Miller rejected the chance to re-sign with Ipswich, while Leeds, Crystal Palace, Celtic and Wigan were all linked with the out-of-contract player. However, the chance to play top flight football for the club the Easington-born player supported as a boy proved too much of a pull. "He had plenty of options, but if he was going to stay in the Championship, he would have stayed with Ipswich," added Miller snr. "I think it is the only club he would have left Ipswich for because he has had a great time down there and played under two very good managers." Miller joined Town from Hartlepool in an £800,000 move in the summer of 2001. He will become manager Mick McCarthy's fifth summer signing following the arrivals of Daryl Murphy, Nyron Nosworthy, Jon Stead and Kelvin Davis.

Striker Kuqi set to leave Ipswich
Ipswich boss Joe Royle has confirmed that Shefki Kuqi is leaving the club. The 28-year-old Finland striker was offered a new two-year contract by Town, but he has rejected that and is being linked with a move to Blackburn. "We made as good an offer as we could make at Championship level, but the lure of the Premiership has proved too great," Royle told the club's website. "We have had plans in place for a while and will now step them up to bring in new recruits. Things are moving along."

Royle upbeat despite departures
Ipswich boss Joe Royle has inisisted the summer exodus of players from Portman Road could benefit the side. Darren Bent and Kelvin Davis have both left the club - with Tommy Miller and Shefki Kuqi set to depart as well. "Players come and go, that's the nature of football," Royle told Ipswich's official website. "Change can be good and can have a positive effect on a team. We'll bring new players in, that's for sure. Things are moving in the right direction."

Parkin will think over next move
Swindon striker Sam Parkin says he will take his time before deciding which Championship club to join this summer. Parkin revealed he has already spoken to Watford, while Ipswich, Norwich and Brighton have also tabled bids for the prolific 24-year-old marksman. "Things are a bit up in the air at the moment but I am hoping to speak to all interested parties," he told BBC Sport. "But it may take a few days and I will not make a hasty decision. I've waited a long time for this opportunity." Ipswich boss Joe Royle sees the former Chelsea trainee as the ideal replacement for top scorer Shefki Kuqi, who is set to leave Portman Road. Parkin scored 24 goals last season and Royle said: "Sam was top of our list if Shefki went. "But our interest is still very much at an early stage and beyond that I don't want to say too much. "The chairman is talking to Swindon and it is an ongoing situation, but by the end of the week I hope to have a much clearer idea of our strikeforce for next season." Parkin, who turned down a new two-year contract with the Robins last week, has just returned from a three-week holiday in Australia but says his transfer was never far from his mind. "I'd be lying if I said I hadn't been thinking about it," he added. "The idea was to have a break and get away from it all but I spent the majority of time either on the phone or the internet trying to keep up with developments back home."

Kuqi completes Blackburn switch
Blackburn have completed the signing of Ipswich striker Shefki Kuqi on a three-year contract. The 28-year-old Finland international had been offered a new two-year deal at Portman Road, but he rejected that. "It was always my goal to play in the Premier League and now I'm here I'm really delighted," said Kuqi. "I spoke to Mark Hughes and it was a great conversation. It made me even more interested to come here. He is a big hero of mine." Kuqi added: "He told me that I was wanted and I'm ready, I'm not going to say I'll be playing week-in and week-out but my target is to do my best and see what will happen." The striker, who scored 32 goals in 86 league and cup games for Ipswich, joins on a free after agreeing personal terms with Rovers and undergoing a medical. The former Sheffield Wednesday forward netted 20 times last term and was voted player of the season by Ipswich fans.

Ipswich confirm tour to Hungary
Ipswich Town have confirmed that the first team will travel to Hungary for a short tour in which they will play just two matches. Joe Royle's side will face 20-times Hungarian champions Ujpest in Budapest on 22 July. The other match will take place two days later against DVTK in Miskolc. Preliminary talks about a possible pre-season tour to Hungary took place in December when representatives from Ujpest visited Ipswich.

Sturrock captures defender Diallo
Sheffield Wednesday boss Paul Sturrock has signed former Ipswich defender Drissa Diallo on a free transfer. The 32-year-old, who was not offered a new deal by Ipswich at the end of the season, has signed a one-year contract. A delighted Sturrock told the Owls' website: "He's an honest defender - quick, hard-working and attacks the ball really well." Diallo added: "I had a chat with the manager and had a very good feeling. I'm looking forward to the season." Diallo arrived in English football when he joined Burnley from Mechelen in January 2003, but moved to Ipswich that summer and has made 45 League appearances in two seasons at Portman Road. He is the second defender to join the Owls this week, following left-back John Hills' move from Gillingham.

Magilton ponders Ipswich future
Jim Magilton has been given more time by Ipswich to decide if he will accept a new offer of a new one-year deal. Boss Joe Royle told the club website: "He's asked for a bit more time to make what is a crucial decision for him. "Jim is 36 and at a crossroads in his career. He has to make up his mind whether to carry on playing or move into coaching, or try and do both." Magilton came to Portman Road on loan from Sheffield Wednesday before signing permanently in March 1999.

Magilton will stay with Ipswich
Ipswich veteran Jim Magilton has decided to stay at Portman Road and is set to sign a new one-year contract. The 36-year-old midfielder, who was the Suffolk club's captain last season, had been linked with a player-coach role at Bristol Rovers. But Ipswich boss Joe Royle told Town's website: "I think there was dialogue with Jim and their manager Ian Atkins but perhaps not much more than that. "It is a big boost for the club that he has decided to stay with us." And Royle added: "He is a massive influence around the place, his enthusiasm comes through to all the players and do not underestimate what a big player he is for us on the pitch either."

Forster injury blow for Ipswich
Ipswich striker Nicky Forster is to undergo a cartilage operation and will be out for up to six weeks. Town boss Joe Royle said: "He felt it last week. We're not sure exactly when it happened but he is not right and we must clear it up as soon as possible. "It is frustrating because he has looked very sharp. Let's hope we are getting all our bad luck with injuries over at the start of the season." Ipswich defender Jason De Vos is also still sidelined with broken ribs. Club physio Dave Williams added: "It is not an injury that you can treat. "He can only go by the doctor's advice and take things at the pace he's told - and let nature take its course."

Ipswich 0-2 Yeovil
Ipswich were knocked out of the first round of the Carling Cup following a shock defeat to League One newcomers Yeovil Town. The home side had the livelier start with Jaime Peters and Dean McDonald all having chances. But it was Yeovil that took the lead on the stroke of half-time thanks to Darren Way's powerful header. Ipswich had chances to equalise after the break but Kevin Gall's individual goal late on sealed victory. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ipswich: Price, Castro Rodriguez, Naylor, Collins, Richards, Peters (Wilnis 45), Juan (Garvan 45), Horlock, Currie (Westlake 45), Bowditch, McDonald. Subs Not Used: Supple, Barron. Booked: Castro Rodriguez. Yeovil: Weale, Skiverton, Miles (Lockwood 71), Sodje, Amankwaah, Way, Johnson, Jones, Davies, Harrold (Gall 69), Bastianini (Terry 78). Subs Not Used: Collis, Lindegaard. Booked: Skiverton. Goals: Way 45, Gall 87. Att: 11,299 Ref: K Woolmer (Northamptonshire).

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