BLUES skipper Jim Magilton last night hailed Joe Royle's new two-year contract as 'fantastic news which brings added stability to the dressing room.'The Town midfielder also said he and his team-mates would love to see Mauricio Taricco return to Portman Road.

By Derek Davis

BLUES skipper Jim Magilton last night hailed Joe Royle's new two-year contract as 'fantastic news which brings added stability to the dressing room.'

The Town midfielder also said he and his team-mates would love to see Mauricio Taricco return to Portman Road.

Magilton read the news of Royle's new deal, and Taricco's desire to return to Ipswich, in the EADT and welcomed both.

He said: “It is fantastic news that Joe has this two-year deal. What it does is bring added stability, and we all know where we stand regarding the manager, whose contract was due to expire in the summer.

“He has done a fantastic job, along with Willie Donachie, and them deciding to stay will be a huge boost to all the lads. I'm sure I speak for the whole dressing room when I say he is hugely popular with the players.

“We know exactly where we stand with him. We know when he is upset with us and we know when he is chilled out.”

Magilton admits his faltering Ipswich Town career was on the verge of collapse towards the end of George Burley's reign, but Royle has breathed new life into him as a player.

He said: “I had four years with George Burley, which were great at first. But he had offered me as a free transfer, and other things had overtaken the football, and we had come to the end really.

“Then Joe came in and gave us all a fresh start. When Matty (Holland) left, I was offered the armband and that meant so much to me.

“From then on, things have gone on and on. I really enjoy working with the man and you can see the results.

“He is not afraid to blend young and old and bring about changes. He has brought in good players and he has given youngsters a chance.

“He really has shown if you are good enough, you are old enough and young enough.”

While Magilton feels the squad is still too small, and two serious injuries would become a crisis, he agrees that the right players have to be brought in.

He said: “We have to be very careful that they are the right players, who will mix in and are of sufficient quality.”

Former Town defender Taricco told the EADT earlier this week that he would relish a return.

Magilton said; “He is exactly the right sort of player. We know what he is like and he is still very popular here. He is a quality player, who we know would benefit the team.”

Magilton will make his 200th League start for Ipswich when they tackle Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, in a live televised game, which kicks off at 1pm.

Tommy Miller is Town's main injury worry as he struggles with ligament damage in his left elbow.

Fabian Wilnis has a sprained wrist but that won't be enough to prevent him playing, while Jason De Vos has been working on his damaged thigh.

n Lewis Price has joined Cambridge United on a month's loan, on the condition that he can be recalled immediately, should Kelvin Davis get injured. The highly-rated 17-year-old Irishman Shane Supple will be on the bench at Sunderland.