IPSWICH Town are believed to be closing in on Dagenham & Redbridge defender Scott Griffiths.

Derek Davis

IPSWICH Town are believed to be closing in on Dagenham & Redbridge defender Scott Griffiths.

It is understood that the League Two left-back is aware of the Blues' interest but is also being courted by another club and is undecided which to choose.

The 22-year-old former England semi-professional team regular also has a year left on his current deal at Victoria Road where he finished third in the Player of the Year vote and is highly thought of by Daggers fans.

Griffiths has been tracked by the Blues and a number of other clubs over the past two years and Ipswich first took note of him when he played against a reserve side in a friendly in August 2005.

A long throw specialist, Griffiths was a regular in the Dagenham side that won promotion at the end of 2006-07 and again this season when they finished fifth from bottom.

Daggers boss John Still is loathe to lose the player but will not block any transfer.

Griffiths signed for Dagenham from Avely in 2004 where he played in midfield after being released by Southend United's youth team.

The naturally left-footed player played for Essex and was part of Thurrock & Basildon's football academy, where he studied sports science.

With Town manager Jim Magilton on holiday and chief executive Derek Bowden back today, it is unlikely any move will be completed this week but Town are keen to start bringing in targets.

Pim Balkestein from Heerenveen is another young defender the Blues are trying to capture and a decision may be given this week.

Leicester City's Gareth McAuley remains a target but it is unlikely Town will get any joy in negotiations until after Milan Mandaric appoints a new manager.

The Blues have again been linked with Nottingham Forest's Sammy Clingan but those reports appear to be wide of the mark.

Town did show an interest in the midfielder last year but it is now understood he does not fit into Magilton's plans.

Meanwhile, it appears Norwich City are closing in on £250,000 Blackpool winger Wes Hoolahan, who Town were linked with last year.

Kaspar Gorkss, the highly-rated Blackpool centre-half, is also close to signing for another Championship club but it appears Town are not among the contenders.