GEORGE O'Callaghan's future lies in the balance today with Dunfermline trying to scupper his hoped-for move to Ipswich Town.The Scottish Premier League side have tabled a bid understood to be around £70,000, which Cork City are understood to have accepted.

By Derek Davis

GEORGE O'Callaghan's future lies in the balance today with Dunfermline trying to scupper his hoped-for move to Ipswich Town.

The Scottish Premier League side have tabled a bid understood to be around £70,000, which Cork City are understood to have accepted.

The Blues first tried to get O'Callaghan on loan but were rebuffed and went in with an offer of above £50,000, which the Eircom League side have rejected.

Dunfermline boss Stephen Kenny is a Dubliner with strong Republic of Ireland connections after managing successfully over there. He knows O'Callaghan well and has been a big admirer for some time.

To muddy to waters further, both Sunderland and Hibs are monitoring the situation and could move in with a late bid.

Ipswich Town manager Jim Magilton said last night: “We are still hoping to get George in the building. He is very keen to come here and we want him but we are not going to budge on the price. We want this resolved this week as much for the lad as anything.”

Cork boss Damien Richardson insisted that the latest Town bid had been rejected although they were still in the box seat.

He said: “We know George would prefer to stay with Ipswich but it is now up to that club. We have not accepted their latest offer and Dunfermline have been on to us and we are waiting for their offer to be formalised.”

Magilton last night confirmed to the EADT his interest in Sheffield United striker Steve Kabba and that he was still keen on Dele Adebola, who is also been chased by Leeds United.

He said: “We have made an inquiry to Sheffield United about Kabbaa but not a concrete offer. He has not been offered to us and we are monitoring the situation.

“With Dele, he is someone we like and wanted him before we got Jon Macken in but then left it. The situation has changed again and we may look at that again.”

Darren Currie's proposed move to Coventry City has been stalled as Micky Adams looks to trim his wage bill and ensure his own future before making any improved offer for the winger.

Meanwhile, Magilton is hoping he can secure a new signing before Saturday's trip to Sunderland.

He said: “The player concerned is someone I have admired for a long while and he will certainly bring the attitude that I want at this football club.

“He will definitely improve the squad and has all the qualities that I look for in a player.

“I am determined to take this club back to where it belongs, the Premiership, and want winners at Ipswich Town. Players who despise losing, who hurt when the team is beaten.

“He has that attitude and hopefully we will get him but if it doesn't work out, we have other irons in the fire.”

Meanwhile, Magilton took the unusual step on the club's website of denying any contact had been made by any clubs for Gavin Williams or Alan Lee, even though there have been no reports of any interest in the pair.

Darryl Knights' proposed move to Falkirk is still in the process of happening with the formalities being finalised.

Knights is unlikely to figure in the Blues' reserves side tonight when they take on MK Dons at Portman Road. It is still expected to be a strong squad with Martin Brittain playing his first game since returning on loan from Yeovil with other first teamers such as Shane Supple, Jaime Peters and Chris Casement also appearing.

Ian Miller has had his loan spell at Boston United extended after the Pilgrims were given a cash injection. Miller was part of a Boston defence that kept a clean sheet against Accrington Stanley at the weekend.

THE full allocation of Colchester United tickets for the game against Ipswich Town at Portman Road next week have been sold out. U's fans queued from 6.30am yesterday to snap up the remaining 1,300 seats after priority tickets had been sold last week.