THE waiting is almost over.

Paul Jewell’s search for a new number one goalkeeper – a position every fan views as the biggest priority – could be over by the weekend.

And for Scott Loach, the man entrusted by the Blues boss to rival Arran Lee-Barrett, he will finally get a chance to play for the club he supported as a boy – and one he has dreamed of rejoining.

Loach left the Blues academy in 2000 but told the Star it was his “dream” to one day play for Ipswich again.

Now it seems like he is getting his wish after reports suggested Watford had accepted a bid from Town for the keeper – at the same time as Jewell admitted he was close to signing a keeper.

We understand Loach is “champing at the bit” to get the deal done while Jewell is remaining confident, but cautious, until the 24-year-old puts pen to paper.

Writing on Twitter last night, Loach said: “So buzzing right now. Hopefully more will become clear soon.”

Jewell watched his side draw 1-1 with Helmond Sport in their first pre-season friendly, and their first game during the six-day tour of the Netherlands, using both Arran Lee-Barrett and triallist Marian Kello.

But while Jewell will look at the former Hearts stopper again, it is Loach who he has identified as his number one target after missing out on Tomasz Kuszczak and Brad Guzan.

The Blues boss said: “The one we are going for, hopefully we are quite down the line with that one. We are hoping to tie that one up pretty soon.

“I don’t want to sound too confident as we have been down this road but we are hopeful of getting the one we want.

“We have been chasing a goalkeeper for a while and it is going to happen in the next few days.”

And Jewell will not rest on his laurels, adding: “We are looking to strengthen. We want a goalkeeper, another striker and two more players.”