WITH less than 36 hours to go before the deadline Ipswich Town are still banging their heads against a brick wall when it comes to bringing in further loanees.

Derek Davis

WITH less than 36 hours to go before the deadline Ipswich Town are still banging their heads against a brick wall when it comes to bringing in further loanees.

Although manager Jim Magilton was successful in signing right-back Danny Simpson from Manchester United, he is still desperately trying to land a forward and a centre-half.

While the Blues were cheered to have Shefki Kuqi back in light training there is no guarantee he will be fit to face QPR on Saturday as he recovers from a hamstring strain. He will be monitored right up until game day.

Pablo Counago is likely to miss at least the next three Town games - and it could even be six - depending on the outcome of their appeal, while they know Jon Walters is out until the end of the season after a knee operation.

Magilton has tried to land Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi but my information from the north east is that the 26-year-old is another who is reluctant to leave the sanctuary of reserve football with a Premiership club to play regular first team football in the Championship.

David Nugent also felt that way and it emerged over the weekend that Ivory Coast international defender Abdoulaye Meite refused to join the Blues even though a deal had been done and he has been told to train with the reserves after refusing to play in the second half of Bolton's 2-0 loss against Manchester United.

One player who does appear keen to join Magilton's promotion push is David Healy but it is Fulham boss Roy Hodgson who is reluctant to let the striker go as the Cottagers battle relegation.

Fulham's Dejan Stefanovic is another known target, but again Magilton has had difficulty prising the Serbian defender, who can play centre-half or left-back, from Craven Cottage.

While Town's cheeky bid for Darren Bent went unheeded, it has not stopped Magilton going for other Premiership players with international experience and attempts will continue long into the night to try and secure at least one more loanee before tomorrow's deadline.