MARCUS Bent's move from Everton to Charlton will provide a timely cash boost for Ipswich Town

MARCUS Bent's move from Everton to Charlton will provide a timely cash boost for Ipswich Town, writes Derek Davis.

The striker is set to become the fifth former Blues star to join the Addicks after discussing personal terms and having a medical at the Valley today.

Alan Curbishley's Charlton are understood to have agreed a £2.5m deal for the much-travelled striker and, as the EADT revealed last month, Town will get 10% of the profit Everton make after splashing out more than £400,000 for Bent from Ipswich.

That could land the Blues £160,000 from the £2m initial fee and then another £50,000 if Charlton pay out the add-ons worth another £500,000.

Bent, 27, will be welcomed by a number of familiar faces at Charlton, with Matt Holland, Hermann Hreidarsson, Darren Ambrose and Darren Bent all in the Addicks side.

Blues boss Joe Royle welcomed the cash but is not counting on it being added to his budget. He said: “It has come at a good time in light of the investment being returned to Michael Anderson but I have not yet spoken with the chairman about how it will be used.”

Another sell-on clause could also bear fruit, with former Town keeper Matteo Sereni being lined up for a £1m-plus move away from Lazio. A straight cash deal will land Town half of the fee and they will play the Italian giants this summer in a friendly, which was also part of the deal.

The Blues' coffers could be further swelled by the sale of Dean McDonald, with Hartlepool considering upping their initial £75,000 bid to land the exciting prospect who scored while on loan at Victoria Park.

McDonald played for Town Reserves last night against Fulham, with a Boston United representative among the interested observers. The Pilgrims have already asked about taking him on loan.

Dean Bowditch partnered McDonald last night and, after recovering from a hip flexor injury, the 19-year-old will be looking to force his way back into first-team reckoning or else find another club before the transfer window closes.

The Blues have handed a trial to 25-year-old central defender Darren Coe, from Ridgeons League Premier Division side Newmarket Town, and he was given his chance to impress at Portman Road last night.

Also involved was Norwegian midfielder Vemund Brekke-Skard, who is looking to prove his match fitness and make his first-team debut.