BLUES boss Jim Magilton is today waiting on answers from two clubs after making cash offers for players.I understand Port Vale's Leon Constantine and Bury's Andy Bishop to be high on Ipswich Town's hit list but Magilton was last night being understandably guarded about the identity of his double swoop.

By Derek Davis

BLUES boss Jim Magilton is today waiting on answers from two clubs after making cash offers for players.

I understand Port Vale's Leon Constantine and Bury's Andy Bishop to be high on Ipswich Town's hit list but Magilton was last night being understandably guarded about the identity of his double swoop.

Magilton said: “We have made what we feel are reasonable offers to two different clubs for players and are now awaiting their response.

“Hopefully the offers will be accepted and everything will go through smoothly. If not we will look at it again and perhaps switch our attentions elsewhere.”

Constantine is out of contract in the summer and at 28 is a good age for a striker. He is believed to be valued at around £200,000 and with 18 goals already this season for the Valiants, five in six games last month, appears to coming into his prime. League One side Vale paid Torquay £20,000 for him and chairman Bill Bratt has said while the club doesn't need to sell they would consider it if the right offer was made.

Bishop caught Magilton's eye while he was watching Gary Roberts play for Accrington Stanley and the 24-year-old scored twice for Bury and has netted 15 goals in 29 games already this season.

One of the two offers made could be for a defender with the Town boss making no secret that a right-back is a priority.

The Blues are also still negotiating with Cork City for George O'Callaghan and are trying to negotiate a deal with Crystal Palace for Jon Macken.

“We have made a good offer for George so now it is down to Cork City. We hope this can now be dealt with quickly and if it is done in time then I would have no hesitation on putting George in the squad for Chester.”

Macken's high wages on a contract that has still 18 months to run at Selhurst Park is a stumbling-block to the striker joining Town on a permanent basis but Magilton is keen to keep him.

Magilton said: “We are trying to reach an agreement with Crystal Palace regarding Jon as he has had a big effect on us at this club and we would like to keep him if we can sort out a deal.”

Falkirk are keen to sign Darryl Knights on a permanent basis after he impressed on trial with the Bairns and Magilton has said he would not stand in the young strikers' way if he wanted to go.

Talks are also continuing with Coventry City about a possible move for Darren Currie to the Ricoh Stadium now his loan spell with the Sky Blues has ended.

Meanwhile, Jaime Peters is unlikely to stay at Portman Road after his contract expires in June with permit problems complicating matters further as he no longer figures regularly in the first team squad.