Jim full of praise for debut-making Pim

Derek Davis

IPSWICH Town boss Jim Magilton praised £180,000 signing Pim Balkestein's start to his Town career after last night's 2-0 win at Brentford.

He purred: “Pim made a very good start and he scored a good goal. Pim has made a very good start to his Ipswich Town career and you can't ask much more than a solid game and a good goal.

“He is an aggressive boy that will learn he can't win every header or every tackle, but he is keen with a great attitude. He and Tommy Smith will emerge together and it will be interesting to see who emerges first. Both have had solid pre-season and trained well.”

Jon Walters played an hour, delighting the travelling fans who had heard the rumours earlier this week that he was off to Stoke.

Magilton dismissed those suggestions and added: “We have not had an offer for Jon. I'm not surprised he will be of interest to other clubs, but we are in a position where we don't have to sell anyone.

“We are trying to get to the next level and we have the nucleus of the squad to add to. He has had a meteoric rise. In the one full season he has been with us he has been outstanding and a player we feel can take us to the next level.”

Magilton also confirmed there was no chance they would be signing Wolfsburg keeper Simon Jentzsch. Magilton said: “That deal is dead.”

Reports in the German media claim Jentzsch's refusal to move, despite not being part of Magarth's plans, are frustrating the manager.

Magarth is quoted as saying: “At Ipswich Jentzsch would have earned at least as much as he is on here at Wolfsburg and still he says no.”

Town moved for the 32-year-old keeper as they look to bring in at least one senior keeper. They are still hopeful of landing Richard Wright, although West Ham are reluctant to let him leave until they are certain of their own goalkeeping position, with Rob Green linked with Aston Villa.

Town have made inquiries about a number of other keepers, including Thomas Sorensen and more recently Andy Lonergan.