Jim set to block Town move
JIM Magilton will try to block any further attempt by his old club Ipswich Town to land QPR left back Damien Delaney.
Derek Davis
JIM Magilton will try to block any further attempt by his old club Ipswich Town to land QPR left back Damien Delaney.
The former Blues boss is well aware of Roy Keane's interest in the Irish defender and has been told Rangers would be willing to sell if they can recoup the �1.2m they paid Hull City for him in January 2008.
Delaney struggled to hold down his place at the end of the season, when Matt Connolly was converted from his preferred central defender's berth to play at left-back.
You may also want to watch:
But Magilton, who was himself interested in landing the27-year-old when he was at Portman Road, does not want to sell to the club who sacked him and who will be a main rival for a top six place in the coming season.
Although the final decision is not his to take, sporting director Giovanni Paladini, deals with the buying and selling of players with co-owner and chairman Flavio Briatore in overall command, Magilton's views will be taken into consideration
Most Read
- 1 Cook discusses Chambers' future after captain dropped at Charlton
- 2 'It was a tiny step forwards' - Cook on 0-0 draw at Charlton
- 3 Suffolk actress Helen McCrory dies following cancer battle
- 4 Matchday Live: Updates as Town travel to The Valley to face Charlton
- 5 Frustrated Suffolk farmer returns dumped items to householders
- 6 Suffolk-born Royal Ballet choreographer Liam Scarlett dies
- 7 Shopper eschew Suffolk's smaller towns to hit Primark
- 8 Missing Stowmarket man, 49, found safe and well
- 9 Why are 3,500 homes stood empty in Suffolk?
- 10 Blues ratings: How Town players performed in the draw at Charlton
Delaney is from Keane's home town of Cork but that is about as far as any connection goes.
With two years left on his current contract Delaney is relaxed about his future and while flattered by Keane's interest has not been told he can talk to any other clubs as yet.
He said: “There's not much you can say extra about Roy Keane is there? He's Roy Keane and a bit of a legend - but we've only met a couple of times.
"I don't want to go shooting my mouth off about Ipswich without knowing whether they really want me - and whether Rangers want to let me go.
"It's one thing to be wanted - it's another for clubs to agree a transfer."
Delaney is not the only one who could be blocked from moving on.
Nottingham Forest want Dextor Blackstock who impressed while on loan but the �1.8m asking price has yet to be met and Magilton may want the chance to use the former Southampton striker.
Meanwhile, Billy Clarke is on the verge of signing for Brentford on a permanent basis.
We revealed last month the Bees were Clarke's most likely destination after enjoying a successful loan spell with the newly promoted League One club.
