JOHN Gorman will be unveiled as Jim Magilton's number two within the next 36 hours.

Derek Davis

JOHN Gorman will be unveiled as Jim Magilton's number two within the next 36 hours.

The former England assistant manager will return to Portman Road in the senior coaching role as Ipswich Town look to give their beleaguered boss a helping hand in their promotion challenge.

Although the club last night declined to comment on the appointment, I understand Magilton is still very much the manager, while Bryan Klug will remain as first team coach and Steve Foley as technical skills coach.

The 59-year Scot has a long association with Glenn Hoddle and has recently been working at his 'second chance' academy in Spain but will give that up to work on a full-time basis along side Magilton at Ipswich until at least the end of this season.

Gorman worked as assistant to George Burley at Ipswich in 1999 after Stewart Houston departed to become George Graham's number at Spurs. Ironically Gorman left after a brief spell at Town to rejoin Hoddle who had taken over at White Hart Lane.

Magilton has chosen to turn to an experienced number two after winning just nine of the 26 league games this season, which leaves Town in tenth place in the Championship, six points off the play-off places.

Earlier this month former England coach Don Howe took Ipswich Town's first team squad for a training session and Magilton has been known to turn to Sir Bobby Robson for advice in the past.

While a verbal agreement has been made, it is believed Gorman's appointment will be ratified once the paperwork has been completed and he is expected to take his place on the Town staff in time for the FA Cup third round tie with Chesterfield this weekend.