BLUES boss Joe Royle last night admitted he would be prepared to allow Jim Magilton to go out on loan for the rest of the season.Although both player and manager have dismissed unsubstantiated rumours linking Magilton with Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest, Royle conceded the Irishman may look to move on for the sake of his future.

By Derek Davis

BLUES boss Joe Royle last night admitted he would be prepared to allow Jim Magilton to go out on loan for the rest of the season.

Although both player and manager have dismissed unsubstantiated rumours linking Magilton with Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest, Royle conceded the Irishman may look to move on for the sake of his future.

Royle said: “We have heard nothing from those two clubs regarding Jim. If something did come up then we would do what is right for Jim. If something appealed and he wanted to go out then we would not stand in his way.

“Equally, we are not pushing Jim out of this club in any shape. He is still our skipper and as we have seen at Crewe and Wolves in the past week, can still offer us a great deal.”

Magilton's contract runs out in the summer and he has made it clear he will leave Portman Road to start afresh.

The 36-year-old former Northern Ireland captain has made good progress with his coaching badges and is understood to be coveted by a few clubs looking for a player/coach, although no move has yet been made to secure his services.

Magilton could play a part in tonight's reserve match at home to Coventry City at Portman Road (7pm kick-off), as he looks to maintain his match fitness.

Meanwhile, young Irish midfielder Cathal Lordan is this week training with League One leaders Southend United after being told he will not be kept on at the end of the season.