THE sudden upturn in form from Pablo Counago has left Joe Royle having second thoughts about bringing in another forward, writes Derek Davis.The Spaniard has always maintained he does not want to leave Ipswich Town but his apathetic approach following a return from injury and his high wages made him a favourite to be shipped out.

THE sudden upturn in form from Pablo Counago has left Joe Royle having second thoughts about bringing in another forward, writes Derek Davis.

The Spaniard has always maintained he does not want to leave Ipswich Town but his apathetic approach following a return from injury and his high wages made him a favourite to be shipped out.

But a pep talk from the Blues boss while on tour in Denmark appears to have done the trick and Counago has impressed Royle in the 5-1 win over Oxford United - enough to reconsider bringing in a new player.

Royle would only be able to afford new players if he gets someone off the wage bill and he has maintained since the end of last season a front man who can hold the ball up is a priority.

He said: “The way Pablo has played at times this past week would make those needs change. He has shown more often what we know he can do and if he can keep that up and take it on we may not have to bring someone else in. That said, we have contingency plans and if a player leaves that gives us more room to manouvre.”

The most likely player to go is Georges Santos, with QPR boss Ian Holloway confident a deal can be struck. The big Frenchman played for Town reserves last night but Royle also feels a move is close.

He said: “The QPR thing is not dead but nothing has been done yet so he played.”

An offer to allow Shefki Kuqi to go had also been accepted but the Finn didn't fancy a move to Korea. The other option for Royle is the loan market, but he will not delve into that until a few days before the Championship kick off on Saturday, August 7.

Chris Makin played another 45 minutes for Leicester City as they beat MK Dons 4-2 and is expected to be told within the next 48 hours that he will be offered a deal at the Walkers Stadium.

Irish international midfielder Mark Kinsella, who was on Royle's shortlist before he secured Kevin Horlock from West Ham, has joined Leeds United on trial.

Meanwhile, Terry Butcher has signed a two-year extension as manager at Motherwell.