IPSWICH Town chief executive Derek Bowden today looked ahead to continuing success with the Blues.

Elvin King

IPSWICH Town chief executive Derek Bowden today looked ahead to continuing success with the Blues.

Town have not denied reports that club owner Marcus Evans is in negotiations with Simon Clegg about bringing the former chief executive of the British Olympic Association to run affairs at Portman Road. It was reported the appointment would take effect in the summer.

Bowden's position would be under threat if Clegg did join the payroll but the former Saatchi and Saatchi man, who took over as the Blues' front man last year when chairman David Sheepshanks' position became non-executive, says he is in no different a position to six weeks ago.

“I am doing the same duties and there is no difference at all,” said Bowden.

“We got a good point on Tuesday and are three tricky matches unbeaten, and I am looking ahead to a win against Watford on Saturday. And further than that and into next season. There is no change from what my position was six weeks ago.”

Clegg has an obvious pedigree in high-level business and he was mentioned in the Court Circular this week after visiting Buckingham Palace for an audience with the Princess Royal after relinquishing his post with the BOA.

There are changes planned at the Ipswich Academy at Playford Road as previously reported in the Evening Star. Two full- time coaches are believed to involved in the redundancy process that is currently taking place as Evans looks to make the exercise more efficient.

Goalkeeper Shane Supple has completed his move to Oldham on loan for the rest of the season and new Oldham manager Joe Royle could show an interest in taking Billy Clarke and Matt Richards to Boundary Park.

It is known that the former Town boss rates both highly and, if he feels he needs reinforcing in their positions, he is set to return to Portman Road to enquire about two players currently out of favour and whose contracts expire in the summer.

Royle was at the Cheltenham game on Tuesday and reported to be looking at Ian Westlake, who was in his side at Portman Road.

It could be the last Town fans see of Supple, who has been a virtually ever-present on the substitutes' bench for the last three years. His Ipswich contract also ends in June.

Southampton keeper Bartosz Bialkowski has joined the Blues on loan to replace Supple and will cover for Richard Wright on the bench at home to Watford on Saturday.

Academy striker Ronan Murray has received his first Republic of Ireland call at Under-19 level after being capped at Under-16 and Under-18 levels.

Murray will be with the squad for friendlies on March 29 and April 2.