Ipswich Town are moving closer to completing a swoop for Notts County goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski.

The Blues are in the market for a new stopper to put pressure on current number one Dean Gerken, with Scott Loach having been allowed to join Championship new-boys Rotherham United last month.

The towering 26-year-old is a Polish under-20 international who actually spent time on loan at Portman Road in March 2009, without playing a game, having started his English career at Southampton in 2006. He also had a temporary spell at Barnsley, making two appearances.

Bialkowski has a year left on his current deal at Meadow Lane and it is understood the Magpies would not stand in his way if a Championship club came calling.

Braniewo-born Bialkowski has made 92 appearances for the Nottingham club and played a pivotal role in Shaun Derry’s side avoiding relegation to League Two in May.

A move for Tranmere Rovers goalkeeper Owain fon Williams who, despite being under contract for the 2014/15 season, can invoke a clause in his two-year deal which enables him to leave Prenton Park on a free transfer, now the Birkenhead club have been relegated to League Two, appears unlikely.

McCarthy also has Welsh under-19 international Michael Crowe at his disposal.

Meanwhile, Ipswich-born Terry Westley has been appointed as academy chief at West Ham, replacing Tony Carr who is moving to an ambassadorial role after 40 years in the position.

Westley had a spell as a youth coach at Portman Road and helped develop the likes of Titus Bramble, Kieron Dyer and Richard Wright.