THE emergence of Ivan Campo as Gareth McAuley's central defensive partner has dampened down Ipswich Town's need to bring in a central defender during the January transfer window.

Elvin King

THE emergence of Ivan Campo as Gareth McAuley's central defensive partner has dampened down Ipswich Town's need to bring in a central defender during the January transfer window.

Former Blue Hermann Hreidarsson has been linked with a return to Portman Road, with his agent Olafur Gardarsson today confirming that the 35-year-old Icelandic international is expected to leave Premier League Portsmouth by the end of the month.

Town have conceded just one goal - a disputed penalty - in three games since Campo was brought back into the first team by manager Jim Magilton.

And with Alex Bruce eager to get back into the side and Richard Naylor and Pim Balkestein waiting in the wings, Magilton might well feel he has enough central defensive options.

Town confirmed again today that there will be more departures than incomings over the next four weeks with at most two players - and ones that could go straight into the side - coming in.

Unlike 39-year-old Hull striker Dean Windass - linked with the Blues today - Magilton is showing some interest in Hreidarsson, his former playing colleague at Portman Road.

But he wants to confirm the defender still has the appetite to do a job with the Blues before thinking about taking things any further.

Gardarsson said: “I expect Hermann to leave Portsmouth in this transfer window. He has six months left on his contract and I don't think he will be signing a new deal.

“At the moment he has a couple of options available to him as there are some Premier League and Championship clubs interested in him. We hope to make a decision on Hermann's future by next week.”

Charlton, West Brom, Reading and Scottish giants Rangers have also mentioned in connection with Hreidarsson.

On the way out of Ipswich is young defender Chris Casement, who will be joining Wycombe Wanderers on a month's loan this week. He was on loan at Hamilton at the back end of last year but did not play a first team game.

All the Town 2008 loanees are today training at Rushmere with the exception of Dean Bowditch who has one more weekend at Brentford. These include Dan Harding, Matt Richards and Billy Clarke.

Midfielder Tommy Miller could be available for Saturday's home game against Sheffield Wednesday after coming off during the first half of Town's 3-0 FA Cup victory over Chesterfield on Saturday.