JIM Magilton and Joe Royle have kissed and made up after the Irishman's flash of petulance at Sheffield United on Saturday.The highly-competitive Magilton was furious with himself after a couple of mistakes and stormed down the tunnel, ignoring Royle's proffered hand as he was replaced by Darren Bent in the 57th minute.

JIM Magilton and Joe Royle have kissed and made up after the Irishman's flash of petulance at Sheffield United on Saturday.

The highly-competitive Magilton was furious with himself after a couple of mistakes and stormed down the tunnel, ignoring Royle's proffered hand as he was replaced by Darren Bent in the 57th minute.

But the Northern Ireland international was soon back out to take his place in the dugout - laughing and joking with his Gaffer.

Royle last night laughed off the incident and insisted there was no problem with the player.

He said: “Jim had a strop on with himself but quickly got over it. There is no problem whatsoever with him. He has been magnificent ever since I have been here but it was not quite his day on Saturday.

“He soon came back out and we had a joke about it, he is a terrific competitor and player and just wants to do well for the team, which he has been doing.”

Town were losing 3-0 when Magilton went off after Michael Brown scored either side of a Phil Jagielka goal, but he witnessed an amazing fight back as Ipswich scored three goals in four minutes to level the game.

Thomas Gaardsoe curled a shot in from 20 yards after a mazy Hermann Hreidarsson run; Tommy Miller picked himself up after Jagielka hauled him down, to score from the penalty spot, and Darren Ambrose picked out Darren Bent, who ran on and beat the keeper.

But substitute Paul Peschisolido fired in a United winner moments from time when a Wayne Quinn throw was only partially cleared by Gaardsoe and it fell to the Canadian. To add to Gaardsoe's woes he picked up his fifth booking of the season and will miss the league match against United at Portman Road next month.

Ambrose almost snatched the winner himself when it was 3-3 with a spectacular effort from the half-way line after Wilko de Vogt headed to him from outside his area, but the Dutch keeper scrambled back to save from a yard out.

Newcastle United maintain their interest in the 18-year-old Ambrose with scout Gordon Milne among the Sheffield crowd.

Milne was also checking on defender Quinn, who is on loan from St James' Park to his old club Sheffield United, but Ambrose remains high in the thoughts of Magpies boss Sir Bobby Robson.

With a defender a priority for Newcastle at the moment - and they will table an offer this morning for Jonathan Woodgate - it is unlikely a move for Ambrose will be made in this transfer window.

With five days left in the transfer opening for Premiership clubs, Royle is ambivalent about any approaches. On the one hand he wants to keep his best players, but on the other the club would dearly love to make some money on a decent sale or get a big earner off the wage bill. Royle said: “Nothing has changed from last week. We have not heard anything so we will just have to wait and see.”

The Town squad train this afternoon and will assess any new injuries ahead of the trip to Bradford on Saturday.

A strong reserve side will face Harwich on Wednesday night at Royal Oak as Joe Royle officially opens new facilities at the ground.