CORK City are seeking a £100,000 fee for their former player of the year George O'Callaghan.The Rebels' manager Damien Richardson is keen to do a deal with the Blues but with the 27-year-old former Port Vale midfielder still under contract to them until after the next Irish League season - which starts in March and ends in November - he wants cash.

By Derek Davis

CORK City are seeking a £100,000 fee for their former player of the year George O'Callaghan.

The Rebels' manager Damien Richardson is keen to do a deal with the Blues but with the 27-year-old former Port Vale midfielder still under contract to them until after the next Irish League season - which starts in March and ends in November - he wants cash.

Richardson said: “We are looking to do a deal that is favourable to both clubs. Ipswich have accommodated us by looking after George and we would like him to go there so hopefully something can be sorted.”

O'Callaghan and Richardson fell out in a row over a club fine midway through the season and he has not played for them since, and Cork have made it clear he will not do so again while Richardson remains as manager.

With City recently agreeing a new investment deal and the chairman insisting that Richardson would be given a two-year extension to his contract, it is clear that O'Callaghan has to leave.

Sunderland, Hull City and Slavia Prague have also shown an interest in him over the past three months but O'Callaghan has trained with Ipswich and has made it clear he wants to join the Portman Road outfit.

Jim Magilton last week told the EADT that he was ready to offer O'Callaghan a contact if all the details could be tidied up but it will now be down to the board to ratify the move in time for him to sign in January.

With Simon Walton returning to Charlton in a fortnight and Gavin Williams struggling with a groin problem, O'Callaghan would be a welcome addition.

The player with Champions' League experience is also a good goalscorer and can play either behind the front two or up front and with Billy Clarke hampered by an ankle injury that would be an extra bonus.

O'Callaghan scored the only goal in a behind-closed-doors game against Millwall last week as he proved his worth in match conditions.

Meanwhile, Welsh midfielder Williams is expected to be fit in time to play against Stoke City on Saturday.

A scan has not shown any problem in his pelvic and back area and the player has been given an injection to ease the pain he has been suffering.

After scoring a cracking 45th minute goal, Williams came off after an hour in the 1-0 win over Leeds when his groin problem became too much.