JIM Magilton would love to have central defender Titus Bramble back in the Ipswich Town team.

Elvin King

JIM Magilton would love to have central defender Titus Bramble back in the Ipswich Town team.

The Ipswich-born 27-year-old will be back at Portman Road tonight with Premier League Wigan Athletic in a third round Carling Cup tie (kick-off 7.45pm).

The Blues boss confirmed reports that he has shown an interest in signing Bramble, who made 62 Town appearances.

“Realistically he is a Premier League player and he was always going to be wanted at that level,” said Magilton.

“I would not mind having him back here in my team. And I have a feeling that Titus would like to come back one day.

“He is an outstanding footballer, lightning quick and with the physique of a beast. Titus is still young and will only get better as he matures.”

Bramble, who cost £5million when sold by Ipswich to Newcastle, had his problems with supporters in the north east.

And Magilton says that the defender showed character to come through it.

“Titus has a problem with concentration sometimes, and it would be fair to say that he has not fulfilled his full potential,” added Magilton.

“He has been the subject of unfair criticism, but it would be fair to say that he has not always learned from his mistakes.”

Bramble and his Wigan team stand in the way of Town's dream of leading a team out at Wembley in the final of this competition.

Realistically gaining £60million from promotion to the Premier League has to be the Blues main goal this season rather than £3million for winning the Carling Cup.

“But it would be fantastic to lead a team from this club out at Wembley Stadium,” confirmed Magilton.

“We can all dream, and I want to get there.

“We can win tonight's game, but we face a strong, athletic side in Wigan on a home night when we will start underdogs.

“Our fans will be given a glimpse of what a good Premier League side looks like.”

Magilton, who was in Belfast on Monday working on his UEFA A coaching licence, has great admiration for Wigan manager Steve Bruce.

“I speak to Steve regularly and he is a fantastic bloke who I go to sometimes for advice,” added Magilton.

“He has been great to me, and he likes the way we are handling business with his son.

“Alex will get an opportunity tonight and he has never let us down. He did well against his father's team when we played Birmingham twice last season.

“We are talking to his agent about a new contract for Alex and at the moment he needs to play games. There is a contract on the table.”