JIM Magilton hailed new signing Danny Simpson as the extra bit of quality that can help take the Blues to the Premier League.The Ipswich Town boss swooped to sign 21-year-old right-back Simpson on loan from Manchester United to help them win promotion.

Derek Davis

JIM Magilton hailed new signing Danny Simpson as the extra bit of quality that can help take the Blues to the Premier League.

The Ipswich Town boss swooped to sign 21-year-old right-back Simpson on loan from Manchester United to help them win promotion.

Magilton said: “Danny will add some quality to the squad and hopefully help take us where we want to be.

“His arrival will add to the competition for places into the team and that is something we need all over the park if we are to be successful.”

Although Magilton has been in need of a centre half, especially with Richard Naylor expected to miss the rest of the season as he needs neck surgery, he insists Simpson has been a long term target.

Magilton said: “We have been tracking Danny this season and I've been keen to bring him in on loan for a while.

“I spoke with Sir Alex Ferguson on Thursday and he said he would be happy for the lad to come here.

“Danny made it clear he is keen to join us and play first-team football and I'm delighted we have been able to make the loan happen.”

Simpson is on loan until the end of the season, including the play-offs if needed, but after recently signing a new three-year deal at Old Trafford a permanent move is not likely.

He has gone straight into the Blues squad to face relegation-strugglers Scunthorpe this afternoon but is expected to start on the bench.

Simpson played left-back and scored for United's reserves in their 4-1 win over Manchester City on Thursday night. He was told of Town's interest by Sir Alex Ferguson when it became clear Gary Neville's recovery from injury would mean his first team chances would be limited for the remainder of the season.

The player immediately agreed to join the Blues and left their Carrington training ground to meet up with Town in Scunthorpe.

Ferguson said; “I've let Danny Simpson go on loan to Ipswich, a good football team, until the end of the season.

“It's good for the lad - with Gary Neville coming back, the boy needs games.”

The 21-year helped Sunderland to win the Championship last year while on loan and has previously spent a spell at United's feeder club Royal Antwerp in Belgium.

Although at 5'8'' he is not seen as a centre half but he can play in both full-back positions, which would allow David Wright to shuffle across if needed.

Magilton is still hoping to land Fulham defender Dejan Stefanovic, or another centre half, before Thursday's loan deal deadline.

He is also keen to secure a Premier League striker with international experience.