KIERON Dyer today had a message for Marcus Evans, the owner of his home-town club Ipswich Town: “Stick with Jim Magilton.”

Elvin King

KIERON Dyer today had a message for Marcus Evans, the owner of his home-town club Ipswich Town: “Stick with Jim Magilton.”

Dyer, 30, is now fit again after a lengthy injury absence and came on as a substitute for West Ham against Blackburn Rovers at the weekend.

Brought up a goal kick away from Portman Road, former England international Dyer made his name with the Blues before joining Newcastle for �6million.

He still lives in Ipswich and feels Evans should resist from making a managerial change this summer - when Magilton will have been in the job for three years.

“I'm sure Jim's going to be a great manager,” said Dyer.

“He just needs time. I've been to a few games this season and obviously it's not gone as planned but he's brought in a number of players and it always takes time for players to gel.

“The owner seems to be behind him and hopefully he will remain that way because I think Ipswich will reap the rewards over the next year or two.

“I'm definitely behind Jim. A lot has happened at the club over the last year or so and I think the time to judge Jim is next year, not this one.”

Dyer and Magilton were team mates with Ipswich when the former first came into the side and Dyer added: “I could tell Jim was management material back then, he knows his stuff.

“He was a moaner when I played alongside him, I know that, he has such high standards and is very professional.

“Apparently he said I'm the best player he played alongside so he must know a good player when he sees one! But seriously, he deserves more time.”

Dyer is sponsor of Town's Under-9s academy team and was at the club's training ground this week to take part in a question and answer session with the Under-9s to Under-11s.

Another Town academy produced player - Titus Bramble - is the main sponsor of the Ipswich academy showcase game at Portman Road on Friday, April 24 (kick-off 7pm).

This will be against Manchester United Under-15s and tickets will be priced at �5 for adults,

�3 for concessions and �1 for under-16s.