IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton will be on the telephone to Fulham today enquiring about striker David Healy.This is after confirming prior to the kick-off of last night's home draw with Sheffield United that he will not be pursuing David Nugent.

Elvin King

IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton will be on the telephone to Fulham today enquiring about striker David Healy.

This is after confirming prior to the kick-off of last night's home draw with Sheffield United that he will not be pursuing David Nugent.

Magilton wants someone who can score the goals to lift the Blues over the promotion finishing line.

And after using a considerable amount of club owner Marcus Evans' cash to agree a loan fee with Portsmouth, the Town boss thought he had secured a striker who loves playing - and scoring - at Portman Road.

But Pompey have now told Ipswich that Nugent will not be fit until next week - and Magilton in turn has said that he is no longer interested.

He cannot wait that long with games running out towards the end of the season.

“The Nugent deal is dead,” said Magilton. “We have heard nothing from his agent, and the player obviously does not want to come here.

“And we do not now want him.

“I have other irons in the fire to bring in some fresh impetus. The plan is to have someone in by next week.”

Magilton's former Northern Ireland team mate Healy is his number one target now, and the Town boss is hoping for a good reaction from a Fulham club that might decide that Healy is required to help keep them in the top flight.

Derby's Robert Earnshaw is another candidate for a loan to the end of May as his club is already all but relegated.

Magilton is also getting closer to agreeing a loan deal with a central defender with Premier League experience.