IPSWICH Town are showing serious interest in Slovakian international left winger Marek Cech.

Derek Davis

EXCLUSIVE

By Derek Davis

IPSWICH Town are showing serious interest in Slovakian international left winger Marek Cech.

The 25-year-old left-footed player is available for around �1.2m from West Brom and the Blues have enquired about his situation.

Although Argentinean midfielder Luciano Civelli is Jim Magilton's top target for that position, Town have been monitoring other players as fail safe options and Cech is one of those being looked at.

Cech has found his chances limited at the Hawthorns and has expressed his dissatisfaction leading to manager Tony Mowbray saying he can find another club.

The Slovakian international who has won 29 caps and scored three goals, made his Baggies debut in the 1-0 loss against Arsenal on the opening day of their Premier League campaign but has featured just eight times in total this season, with his last outing the FA Cup draw with Peterborough.

Able to play anywhere down the left side and with experience in European competition with Sparta Prague and FC Porto, Cech is a highly-rated player that would fit the bill perfectly for Town.

The sticking point could be his personal demands and if he would be interested in dropping down to the Championship.

At the same time Town are still keen to complete the move from Civelli from Banfield.

At the moment it appears the Buenos Aires club have accepted around �1.2m for a 50 per cent share in the player but the Blues are understandably cautious about such an arrangement and want to own full rights on the player.

Town are very confident a deal can be done but again Civelli, whose brother Renato plays in Marseilles, has to agree personal terms and has yet to visit England.

Greek club AEK Athens are also an interested party and other clubs have been alerted to the 22-year-old's availability.

As we revealed on Tuesday, Birmingham City striker Gary McSheffrey is also high on Town's list but even though he can play on the left side, he is seen more as a forward.

Coventry City and Crystal Palace are among a raft of Championship clubs keen on the striker who is recovering from injury but Town may be in the best position financially to secure the ex Sky Blues favourite.

The Blues are also in the hunt for a centre half with Alex Bruce's situation up in the air and Iv�n Campo out injured.

Town do have Richard Naylor, another coming to the end of his contract, and Pim Balkestein to call on while Tommy Smith is a longer term prospect.

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk