By Derek Davis Chief Football WriterTHE hopes of seeing two Ipswich Town players leave this week were given a severe blow last night when Derby County made two signings and Middlesbrough secured a new goalkeeper.

By Derek Davis

Chief Football Writer

THE hopes of seeing two Ipswich Town players leave this week were given a severe blow last night when Derby County made two signings and Middlesbrough secured a new goalkeeper.

Former Town boss George Burley had made inquiries about taking free transfer-listed Alun Armstrong, but was put off when the striker he originally signed from Boro picked up an ill-timed minor injury.

Now Burley has taken Portsmouth striker Lee Bradbury on a month's loan and will keep an eye on Armstrong's fitness over the next couple of weeks.

In addition Birmingham City defender Michael Johnson has made a permanent switch to Pride Park.

Andy Marshall's hopes of being fixed up were dashed when Middlesbrough signed Carlo Nash from Manchester City after Mark Crossley made a £500,000 move to Fulham, who had also shown a firm interest in the Town keeper.

Meanwhile, Sven-Goran Eriksson will name his England squad tomorrow, with former Ipswich Town favourite Kieron Dyer expected to be in the side to take on Croatia at Portman Road on Wednesday.

New Croat coach Otto Boric, from Austria, has gone for a new-look squad with many of the famous old names no longer a part of the national set-up.

Gone are Mario Stanic, Davor Suker and Alen Boksic, with Boris Zivkovic of Portsmouth the only Croat playing in England in the squad - and he has to prove his fitness after his move from Bayer Leverkusen.

Claus Bo Laursen of Denmark takes charge of the match while Kent referee Barry Knight is the fourth official.

Croatia squad

Tomislav Butina, Stipe Pletikosa, Robert Kovac, Igor Tudor, Dario Simic, Boris Zivkovic, Danijel Hrman, Josep Simunic, Marko Babic, Niko Kovac, Darijo Srna, Milan Rapaic, Dovani Roso, Jerko Leko, Stjepan Tomas, Ivica Mornar, Marijo Maric, Ivica Olic and Dado Prso.