MARKO Kolsi has been the most impressive triallist during Ipswich Town's six-day trip to southern Holland.The Finland Under-21 international will play tonight when the Blues cross the border to play Belgium club Zulte/Waregem.

By Elvin King

MARKO Kolsi has been the most impressive triallist during Ipswich Town's six-day trip to southern Holland.

The Finland Under-21 international will play tonight when the Blues cross the border to play Belgium club Zulte/Waregem.

A midfielder who likes to go forward, he might not play in a position that manager Jim Magilton feels needs strengthening.

But if he shapes up well this evening he may well be given another chance to show his worth.

The 21-year-old was with Willem II in the Dutch top division last season and he is desperate to play in English league football.

“I have played with Shefki Kuqi in the Finland set-up and he has informed me that Ipswich are a very good club,” said Kolsi, who will be joined by at least one more trialist tonight.

Medhi Menire, a 29-year-old Algerian international, linked up with the Town party on Monday night, and took part in a training session at a nearby local club yesterday morning in scorching heat.

He is a defender who has been recommended by Town's chief scout Steve McCall and played for Troyes in French football, having been purchased for £800,000 from Nancy in 2000.

Whether Magilton selects French midfielder Alex Bertin and/or Icelandic left-back Indridi Sigurdsson remains to be seen tonight.

Both are also trying to win a contract at Portman Road with the latter impressing his new team-mates in the 1-1 draw against Willem II on Monday.

Bertin did well enough in front of the back four in that game, but with limited funds to bring in any more than two or three newcomers, Magilton is looking for someone who can make a bigger impression.

Bertin also turned in tidy performances against Boston and Galway, but just lacks that little bit of quality.

Magilton has still to finalise his side for tonight's fixture, with Matt Richards (ankle), Sam Parkin (foot) and Nicky Forster (knee) all receiving treatment yesterday.

The players who did not feature, or only played briefly, against Willem II were put through their paces yesterday with many of the rest swimming in the hotel pools before having an afternoon free.

Most went to look around Tilburg, while some played golf.

Magilton had praise for his substitutes as his team hit back to score a stoppage-time equaliser on Monday.

Goalscorer Matt Richards was one of the five replacements used in the second period, and the new manager also had praise for Billy Clarke and Danny Haynes.

“Matt added some quality to our midfield,” said Magilton. “He put his foot on the ball and provided the front men with some inviting passes.

“Billy and Danny also added some energy to our play, and I was pleased with how the changes we made paid off.

“It was a tough game against a top-flight Dutch club and I was encouraged by much of what I saw.”

But Magilton could not hide his disappointment at the form of striker Dean Bowditch, who also appeared as a second half substitute.

The boss said: “I would like to see more from him. Dean is a very good footballer, but he needs some self-belief. I want him to show me what he is capable of.”

One certainty to start tonight is keeper Lewis Price, after Shane Supple played for the full 90 minutes on Monday.

Supple summed up the mood in the Town camp when he said: “There must be something wrong if you don't want to play for new manager Jim Magilton.

“The new boss is the type who you want to play for every week. He lets you know where you stand, and everybody is aware of their situation.”