PSWICH Town boss Jim Magilton last night revealed he would love to sign Colchester United's wantaway Greg Halford but admits it is highly unlikely to happen.

By Derek Davis

PSWICH Town boss Jim Magilton last night revealed he would love to sign Colchester United's wantaway Greg Halford but admits it is highly unlikely to happen.

Although Town have been tracking the 21-year-old - who has slapped in a transfer request at Layer Road - for more than a year, Magilton knows he is probably out of their depth. He said: “Greg Halford is a player I would love to have in this team. He is someone we have spoken about here and someone I have watched a few times and liked what I have seen.

“But we just don't have the sort of money that it would probably take to sign him.”

The U's are keen to keep Halford and a fee has not yet been placed on him but he is expected to be valued around the £1m mark.

His personal terms would also be a consideration with the Chelmsford-born utility player looking to be among the higher wage-earners in the division - and the old problem of Colchester being unwilling to sell to Town would no doubt be another factor.

Magilton has been concentrating his efforts elsewhere and last night was a phone call away from bringing in his sixth player as he looks to turn Ipswich Town's fortunes around.

With a week to go before the transfer window closes for three months, activity around player movement is brisk.

The Blues boss is waiting on an answer from a striker, who he hopes to include in tomorrow night's vital Championship clash at QPR.

Magilton last night confirmed: “We are close to bringing in another player. I'm waiting on a phone call so it can happen at any moment.”

Magilton is also in the hunt for a central defender who he is hoping to secure before the deadline.

Fulham's Sylvain Legwinski is now training at Portman Road and due to play in a behind-closed-doors match.

However, Republic of Ireland Under-21 international striker Stephen Ward is not a target.

Magilton also denied he was about to lose Shane Supple, who missed Tuesday night's Carling Cup defeat at Peterborough with a wrist injury, prompting reports that he was about to be sold.

Magilton said: “Shane was left out as a precaution and wore a protective cast during a warm-up because he had a wrist injury. There is absolutely no truth that he is about to be sold and he will be fine for Friday and is in the squad.”

Supple added: “The story is a load of rubbish.”

Sam Parkin continues to be the most likely to leave but he is still in negotiations with Preston and Luton. The striker was named in the squad for the League Cup clash but was left out of the 16 and Magilton is not sure where he stands at the moment.

He said: “It will be resolved one way or another by next week but I would rather know sooner than later. It is out of my hands right now. We have accepted offers and it is down to Sam to talk and decide.”

Another player who could be on his way out of Portman Road is Darren Currie. Magilton said: “I have read the speculation but I have not had an offer from a club regarding Darren.”

Town's latest signing, 21-year-old Martin Brittain, was freed from Newcastle United and impressed on his debut on Tuesday.

Billy Clarke scored his first senior goal for Ipswich, while Danny Haynes shone at Portman Road, prompting Magilton to consider giving youth its head.

He said: “Martin likes to hug the touchline which is something we have not had at this club for a while. He had a steady debut and it was a good game for him to get adjusted. I have known for a while what players like Billy can do and they reaffirmed that at Peterborough. I would have no problem putting these younger players in against QPR.”