CONCERNED Blues' fans can rest assured that Jim Magilton is not being lined up to become the new Oxford United boss.Although Ipswich manager Joe Royle has said he will not stand in the way of Magilton leaving Town, despite being desperately short of midfielders, the League One club have not approached the Irishman.

By Derek Davis

CONCERNED Blues' fans can rest assured that Jim Magilton is not being lined up to become the new Oxford United boss.

Although Ipswich manager Joe Royle has said he will not stand in the way of Magilton leaving Town, despite being desperately short of midfielders, the League One club have not approached the Irishman.

The rumour that Magilton could go to the Kassam Stadium as player/manager started when an Oxford-based reporter rang a number of ex-United players to see if they would be interested in the post.

Magilton said it would be something that may suit him further down the line but, for now, he was concentrating on helping Town win the Championship.

The Ipswich Town website then 'broke' the story, after a tip from an Oxford source not connected with the club.

But Oxford United have not approached Magilton (pictured below) and chairman Firoz Kassam only flew back from Australia yesterday to start interviews. The front-runners are believed to include Danny Wilson, Chris Turner and a Malcolm Crosby/Tommy Mooney combination, while caretaker Darren Patterson has done a steady job since Graham Rix was moved 'upstairs'.