THE opening of Friday morning's transfer window for 'emergency' loan signings will not prove a distraction at Ipswich Town.Blues boss Jim Magilton is more interested in bedding in his new players and focusing the mind of his team for the visit of Southampton than adding to his squad just yet.

By Derek Davis

THE opening of Friday morning's transfer window for 'emergency' loan signings will not prove a distraction at Ipswich Town.

Blues boss Jim Magilton is more interested in bedding in his new players and focusing the mind of his team for the visit of Southampton than adding to his squad just yet.

New players could well arrive later next week but for the moment Magilton is happy enough with the side he has and wants them focusing on gaining three points off his old gaffer, George Burley.

Magilton said: “There are a couple of players we are interested in signing but not on the eve of a game. We are keeping tabs on players but we have not made any sort of move or bid for anyone.

“Last week was a busy time of transfer activity and it has been important this week that we settle down and consolidate and focus on the Southampton game.”

Magilton is likely to hand debuts to new signings Sylvain Legwinski and Jon Macken after their arrivals from Fulham and Crystal Palace respectively.

Danny Haynes is also pushing for a first team start after scoring the only goal in the win over Stevenage Borough, which puts Town's Reserves top of the Pontin's Holidays Combination League. Billy Clarke suffered a knock in training last week but should recover in time for the Southampton match.

Fabian Wilnis is still struggling with a thigh strain which kept him out of Richard Naylor's testimonial match last Saturday and that could mean Magilton juggling his defenders once more

He said: “Fabian is a doubt and we will see how he is in training. It would be disappointing if we had to change the back four after they did so well at QPR.”

One player who won't be joining Town is recently-released Rangers defender Bob Malcolm, who was scheduled to have a trial with Town this week but has now joined Derby County.

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk