Garvan set for new deal

Derek Davis

OWEN Garvan has been offered a new two year contract by Ipswich Town in order to try and stave off Premier League interest.

Wigan have been watching the 20-year-old midfielder, who has this week been called into the senior Republic of Ireland squad.

West Ham, Birmingham, Everton and Aston Villa, have also been linked with Garvan but it was Latics boss Steve Bruce running the rule over him again last night as Ipswich held to a 1-1 draw by Cardiff.

Bruce has watched his son Alex Bruce as often as he can this season and used the opportunity to scout other Town players and has been impressed so much by Garvan he asked his chief scout Keith Bertschin to take a close look too and he watched him against QPR and Colchester United.

Garvan will not make up his mind about whether to accept the Blues deal or wait to see what else is on offer until the summer But he is delighted with his call up to the full squad.

Dubliner Garvan has impressed at Under 21 level and Don Given recommended him to new senior manager Trapattoni The former Home Farm midfielder has been called into an initial 40-man squad for a forthcoming tournament in the Algarve and for friendlies in mid-May, although the play-offs would hamper his chances of taking part.

Garvan said: “It's a great honour to be picked for the senior squad and now I hope I make the 28.

“Don Givens told me that he was putting my name forward to Mr Trapattoni and I was thrilled when I was told I was in the squad.

“It's gone okay for me when I have played for the Ireland U21s and hopefully this is a sign that I am making progress.

“It's always been an ambition of mine to play for my country at the top level and if “I'm in the 28 then that will take me one step closer.

“With the new manager in charge, it's a chance for some of the younger players to make an impression but there are a lot of good players in the squad so we will just have to wait and see what happens.”