Could Quinton change Town's fortunes?

Derek Davis

FORTUNE beckons for Ipswich Town as Jim Magilton considers giving a trial to a South African international.

The Blues boss has been approached about allowing ex-Manchester United defender Quinton Fortune revive his career with the Premiership promotion challengers.

The 31-year-old is a free agent and has recently been on trial with Blackburn Rovers while Sunderland and Portsmouth have also been linked with him.

Magilton today said: “Quinton Fortune is a lad with great quality who has had a tough few years. An agent has called me and asked me about taking him.

“If he was someone who was anywhere near his true fitness then he is someone we would invite in.

“There is no problem about bringing in someone of Quinton's ability to our football club. But it is at a very early and tentative stage although definitely one to watch.”

Fortune has recently gone through a messy, and expensive, divorce from ex-wife Kim, and has not played since being released by Bolton last year.

Magilton is more likely to offer Ben Thatcher a deal as he is impressing in training with the Blues in Belfast and is expected to play again tonight against Donegal Celtic.

While Town look to stiffen their defence Magilton is also close to bolstering his attack with a move for Colchester striker Kevin Lisbie close to completion and another attempt to land Nicky Maynard looming if Crewe get real about his worth.

Magilton said: “Nicky is someone we like and someone we feel has a lot of potential but it may be that Crewe prices him out of the market.

“It is an inflated market as we know and no disrespect to any lads that have gone for big money but look at the prices paid for Iain Hume and Martin Paterson.

“Championship clubs are spending money and in order to be in the mix we need to spend. We are not frightened of doing that but we have to make sure it is the right one.

“Nicky has scored a lot of goals at that level and it could be he can step up - it is something we have to consider.

“But either way we are not going to pay over the odds for any player.”

Magilton revealed talks are still in progress about signing Nuremburg's Angelos Charisteas and Rudi Skácel from Southampton.

He said: “We have spoken to his agent and we are still hoping the boy will come over to Ipswich and have a look around and have talks. If we can find common ground then good and we are making preparations to try and get him in.

“If not then we have one or two other things going on.

“It shows our intent. We are looking to bring in the right sort of quality. Both he and Skácel have represented their respective countries in the European Championships this summer and that is the sort of quality we are looking at.”