IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton today admitted: “We are still one or two players short.”While the Blues boss expressed his delight at his transfer window dealings that saw him bring in five players, the failure to capture Leicester central defender Gareth McAuley has cast a shadow over the January deals.

Elvin King

IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton today admitted: “We are still one or two players short.”

While the Blues boss expressed his delight at his transfer window dealings that saw him bring in five players, the failure to capture Leicester central defender Gareth McAuley has cast a shadow over the January deals.

Town walked away from McAuley after an increased bid was turned down on Wednesday.

Ipswich refused to go above their valuation, but a loan deal or a permanent one in the summer is not out of the question.

“We have added some fantastic players,” said Magilton. “We have a much stronger squad now but we are still one or two players short.

“In a week's time we can deal in loan signings if we feel we need extra additions.”

The long drawn-out saga to purchase Plymouth's midfielder David Norris was finally completed yesterday afternoon with a three-and-a-half-year contract and an undisclosed fee believed to be starting at £2million.

Stephen Bywater also completed his loan move from Derby County for the rest of the season with a view to making the deal permanent in the summer with terms already pre-agreed.

Barnsley keeper Nick Colgan, 34, joined as cover to Bywater on a short-term deal to the end of the season. His signature was completed last night.

And with Alan Quinn signed from Sheffield United for £400,000 and around £500,000 paid for Macedonian international Velice Sumulikoski from Turkish football, Magilton has out-laid £3min transfer fees and around £6m - for starters - on wages.

The £12m that owner Marcus Evans invested into the club's player budget will have been completely eaten up when Bywater and perhaps Colgan are put on full-time deals.

As well as the five signings, Town have loaned out three players and waved goodbye to three more.

Shane Supple and Billy Clarke have both joined Scottish Premier League Falkirk until the summer to give them valuable match practice, while Jaime Peters has gone to Yeovil until May.

George O'Callaghan has signed a three-year deal with his former club Cork City after being given a free transfer, while Ian Miller has joined Darlington on a free transfer and Sammy Moore has linked up with Stevenage.