FORMER Ipswich Town defender Sito Castro, who was interesting League One Southend United, is believed to be on the point of signing for Spanish side UD Salamanca.

Elvin King

FORMER Ipswich Town defender Sito Castro, who was interesting League One Southend United, is believed to be on the point of signing for Spanish side UD Salamanca.

Sito had originally said that he wanted to continue playing his football in this country after not being offered a contract extension by the Blues at the end of last season.

His contract at Portman Road runs out on June 30 and the Spaniard is now set to carry on playing in his home country.

After being out of the frame at Ipswich for a while Sito came in from the cold to impress towards the end of last season, and netted his only Ipswich goal at Scunthorpe in April. Sito, who made 59 appearances for Ipswich, now looks set to ply his trade in the Spanish Second Division.

On the incoming front, Ipswich have been interested in signing Scunthorpe striker Martin Paterson since the 21-year-old scored a couple of smart goals at Portman Road for the Iron last season.

He is one of the players manager Jim Magilton has been keeping an eye on, but it looks as though the Northern Ireland international is going to end up at Burnley after the Clarets agreed a fee of £1.3million.

With their finances boosted by the sale of Kyle Lafferty to Glasgow Rangers for £3.5m, Burnley are looking for a front man replacement, and with 14 goals last season in a struggling side, Paterson fits the bill.

Scunthorpe were relegated back to League One last season, and Paterson had made it known that he wanted to stay playing in the Coca-Cola Championship.

Paterson put in an official transfer request, and Scunthorpe are resigned to losing him.

Ipswich are continuing their interest in rising star Nicky Maynard of Crewe Alexandra and Magilton also revealed that had been keeping tabs on the Lafferty situation.

Town striker Alan Lee, who was a Burnley target last season, is reported to be interesting Plymouth, but the Blues have received no official contact from the Home Park-based club.

Lee could be surplus to requirements if Magilton signs a new frontman. The striker signed a new contract following interest from Hull City 12 months ago.