Norris' dad adds to bid pressure
IPSWICH'S bid to capture David Norris is likely to come to a head this weekend after the Plymouth midfielder's dad called on the club to sort out his son's future.
Derek Davis
IPSWICH'S bid to capture David Norris is likely to come to a head this weekend after the Plymouth midfielder's dad called on the club to sort out his son's future.
Town boss Jim Magilton confirmed this morning he has made a final push to secure the 26-year-old but was not prepared to wait indefinitely.
Magilton also revealed he will make a new offer to capture Gareth McAuley from Leicester City, even though Ian Holloway has said he is not for sale.
But Norris remains his number one target and David Norris senior revealed that there have not been any talks between his son and Argyle about extending his current contract with the Pilgrims, which has 18 months remaining on it.
There has been speculation that Argyle were about to enter into negotiations with Norris about a new, long-term contract.
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It has intensified after the recent departures of Akos Buzsaky, Barry Hayles and top scorer Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.
But Norris senior told the Plymouth Herald: "There haven't been any talks at all at the moment. And it doesn't look like there are going to be in the near future, which is strange really.
"David has been waiting since September for contract talks to open so that he can secure his future, but there has been nothing whatsoever."
Norris was suspended for Argyle's 1-0 defeat away to Burnley last Saturday but is available again for the visit of Southampton.
His father continued: "I can't understand why there haven't been any talks yet. Either the club want him and want to commit to him or they don't.
"It should have been resolved before the January transfer window. It's very unsettling for David.
"So far, he hasn't pushed it in any way. He has been happy at Plymouth but he has got to think about his future as well. He's 27 next month.
"I believe the club have got to state what they want. Do they want to keep him or not?"
Norris has made a total of 241 appearances for Argyle and scored 27 goals since signing from Bolton Wanderers, initially on loan, in October 2002.
He completed a clean sweep of all the Pilgrims' player-of-the-year awards for the 2005/06 season.
Should Norris be sold by Argyle, they will have to pay 50 per cent of the transfer fee to Bolton.
The Blues have made two £1 million-plus offers for Norris during the January transfer window, but they are not the only Championship club interested in him.
Former Pilgrims' boss Ian Holloway is believed to have inquired about taking Norris to Leicester City, while Norwich and West Brom have also been linked with him.
And the midfielder has also been a target for Southampton, who are the opponents for Argyle at Home Park tomorrow.
It was reported earlier this week that Saints had offered £1m plus Czech Republic midfielder Mario Licka in exchange for Norris.