IPSWICH Town boss Roy Keane is set to have talks with Liam Trotter today - with promoted Scunthorpe United waiting in the wings to take the former Northgate pupil.

Elvin King

IPSWICH Town boss Roy Keane is set to have talks with Liam Trotter today - with promoted Scunthorpe United waiting in the wings to take the former Northgate pupil.

Trotter, 21, was on loan at the Lincolnshire club at the end of the season and came on as a substitute to help the Iron recover from 2-1 down to beat Millwall 3-2 in the League One play-off final at the weekend.

With Shane Supple set to be offered a new deal and Ed Upson also pencilled in to stay at Portman Road, Trotter is the final Town squad member whose contract ends at the end of next month to be sorted.

Scunthorpe manager Nigel Adkins used midfielder Trotter extensively as his team won their way back to the Coca-Cola Championship at the first attempt.

He is poised to make Totter an offer if Keane decides to release a player who came into the game late after being part of the West Suffolk College Football School at Bury St Edmunds. Cash-strapped Scu-nthorpe would struggle to pay a fee, but if Trotter is released they would pick him up for nothing. And the player would have every chance of playing regular Championship football at Glanford Park.

Striker Billy Clarke - released by Keane earlier this month - has a number of clubs chasing him with Notts County confirming their interest in the 21-year-old, who notched 18 goals while on loan at three different clubs.

McParland, who has held talks with Clarke's agent, said: “Billy is in Ireland following a family bereavement.

“Maybe it's a long shot that we will get him if Champion-ship clubs are involved, but you get nothing if you don't try.

“I've made a firm offer to Billy's agent and he knows that we are serious about signing him.”

Sheffield Wednesday have emerged as contenders for Clarke's signature with League One sides Norwich, Brentford, where Clarke spent the latter weeks of the season on loan, and Oldham, now managed by Dave Penney who was Clarke's boss during his earlier spell at Darlington, also linked.

Southend United manager Steve Tilson would like Dan Harding back at Roots Hall next season.

However, he fears he

could not afford the released Ipswich defender's wage demands.

Harding was believed to be paid almost double what any current Southend player receives.

He continues to be linked with a move to Championship club Reading where he ended the season.

Tilson said: “Dan is a very good player and he did a great job when he was with us on loan last year.

“I would very much like to have him next season but it's unlikely because he's out of our price range.”