IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton today told Hull City to 'put up or shut up' over the Alan Lee saga.Confirming yet again his intention to have 28-year-old Lee at the club when the Coca-Cola Championship season starts tomorrow week, Magilton wants to put an end to the unsettling talk of a move to Humberside for the Republic of Ireland front man.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton today told Hull City to 'put up or shut up' over the Alan Lee saga.

Confirming yet again his intention to have 28-year-old Lee at the club when the Coca-Cola Championship season starts tomorrow week, Magilton wants to put an end to the unsettling talk of a move to Humberside for the Republic of Ireland front man.

“I have heard nothing recently from Hull City,” said Magilton, who last month turned down a reported £600,000 bid from the Tigers.

“If they want to do anything more then they should do it.

“If not they should shut up.”

Wages of £8,000 a week have been mentioned as part of the Hull package although they have not spoken to Lee, who has one more year of his contract left at Portman Road.

Magilton is having talks with Lee over an extension to his current contract, and he is hopeful things can be worked out satisfactory.

“There is an open line of communication,” added Magilton.

“We are in dialogue, but these things take time.

“When it is done an announcement will be made.”

Lee has stressed many times that he is happy with Ipswich, both the club and living in this part of the world.

He will start Sunday's match at Portman Road against Panathinaikos and is hoping to form a successful partnership beside new signing Pablo Counago up front. Jon Walters will start on the right side of midfield again.

Hull manager Phil Brown, who lost out on Leeds striker Richard Cresswell when Cresswell failed a medical this week, said yesterday: “Our £600,000 bid for Alan Lee is still on the table, it hasn't gone away.

“He's got talks with Ipswich at the weekend when I think his future will possibly be resolved either way.

“We are still very interested in signing Alan.”

The Tigers have said that they do not want to enter an auction with themselves and are not likely to up their bid - hoping for Ipswich to lower their estimation of a player who notched 17 goals last season and cost £100,000 from Cardiff 18 months ago.

Hull are showing interest in Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll. The 18-year-old played in Newcastle's 1-0 friendly defeat to the Tigers at the KC Stadium on Wednesday night.

With four years remaining on his deal at St James' Park, a permanent transfer is definitely not on the cards for Carroll. But Hull have confirmed they are keen on a loan deal.

“On a priority basis, we're looking at permanent moves.” said Brown.