IPSWICH TOWN: Owen Garvan is taking advice from former Blues players now with Crystal Palace before making his mind up about a move to Selhurst Park.

The two clubs have agreed a �250,000 fee for the 22-year-old midfielder and the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international is set to make up his mind at the weekend.

The indications are that a compromise will have to be made – both by the clubs and the player – before a deal can be sealed.

There is optimism that this could be the case with Palace manager George Burley keen to add Garvan to his squad.

Alan Lee, Darren Ambrose and David Wright are ex-Ipswich players who are now with the London-based Championship club, and Garvan is picking their brains before making a decision.

Luca Civelli has a slim chance of being involved in Town’s Carling Cup game at Exeter on Tuesday August 10 – with Blues manager Roy Keane confirming that he expects no major problems with the right knee that the Argentinean jarred at Leiston on Tuesday.

“There is a tendency to panic after a player hurts himself after being a out of the game long-term with injury,” said Keane.

“But Luca is okay and it is all looking straightforward.

“He landed awkwardly and it will be 10 days – two weeks maximum – before he should be back in action.”

While Town are taking on West Ham today (kick-off 3pm) and a Tottenham XI also at Portman Road on Tuesday night, Keane has been left with a lasting impression of how good Suffolk non-league football is after midweek victories at Leiston and Bury Town.

“We did okay in both games and they were good work outs,” said Keane.

“But I was more impressed with the opposition than ourselves.”

While Alex Bruce appears on his way to Leeds United, striker Jon Stead trained back at Playford Road yesterday after turning down a move to Premier League Blackpool.

The length of the deal Blackpool were offering is believed to be the reason for the breakdown in talks although Ian Holloway could be back as he is desperate for front men.

Keane has confirmed that there is another club also interested in Stead.

Gareth McAuley has been named in the Northern Ireland squad for their friendly in Montenegro on Wednesday August 11. This means the defender will not be available for Town’s Caring Cup tie at Exeter the previous day.