DARYL Murphy is close to agreeing a loan move to Ipswich – for the third consecutive season.

According to reports coming out of the Irish media, the Celtic frontman could rejoin Town as early as today.

Blues boss Paul Jewell has never hid his admiration of Murphy but repeatedly claimed that the fact the Scottish champions wanted a fee for the 29-year-old and the striker’s wages meant a deal was unlikely.

Now it seems a compromise has been reached with the player told he is no longer part of Celtic boss Neil Lennon’s plans – despite featuring heavily in pre-season.

Murphy, who will become a free agent next summer, first signed for Roy Keane in February 2010 before coming back to Suffolk under Jewell last August, scoring four times in 33 Championship appearances.

Though his preference is to play as a central striker, Murphy would also give Ipswich options on the left-hand-side, where he largely played last season.

He has been out of action for two weeks with a hamstring injury, but could still feature in the Town squad for Saturday’s match at home to Huddersfield Town.

One person also likely to play is Huddersfield striker Jordan Rhodes in his first match back at Portman Road since being controversially sold by Roy Keane.

Terriers chairman Dean Hoyle today told the Huddersfield Examiner that he would not stand in the striker’s way if the club’s valuation of the hot-shot was met.

But Hoyle confirmed that no one had yet come close and it seems likely Rhodes will return to Suffolk on Saturday rather than be sold before Friday’s transfer window deadline.