IPSWICH Town have turned down a £200,000 bid from Coventry City for Sam Parkin.The two clubs are still in talks though, with the Sky Blues expected to make an improved offer today for the 25-year-old and Town would probably be willing to sell for around double the original offer.

By Derek Davis

IPSWICH Town have turned down a £200,000 bid from Coventry City for Sam Parkin.

The two clubs are still in talks though, with the Sky Blues expected to make an improved offer today for the 25-year-old and Town would probably be willing to sell for around double the original offer.

Micky Adams tabled a £100,000 cash down bid, with a further £100,000 to follow depending on appearances and other factors, which Ipswich rejected late last week.

City asked for Parkin to be kept out of the squad for Saturday's game against Crystal Palace and Town agreed as a mark of good faith.

Town lost 2-1, despite going ahead through Nicky Forster, with former Coventry and Ipswich striker James Scowcroft netting Palace's winner, following Jobi McAnuff's equaliser.

Parkin has not enjoyed the best of times since his £550,000 arrival from Swindon Town, where he banged in 73 goals in 142 games. He has managed just five goals in 20 matches, all away from home, and sections of Blues' fans have given him a hard time.

A broken ankle, with complications, kept him out of the side for five months but he has shown his fitness in pre-season.

City have already secured Trinidad & Tobago international Chris Birchall from Port Vale for £300,000 and had ex- Town keeper Andy Marshall in goal for their 2-1 win over Sunderland yesterday.

Meanwhile, Blues boss Jim Magilton is hoping to secure Mark Noble on loan from West Ham in time for him to play against Wolves at Molineux tomorrow.

The Blues can sign Noble up to two hours before kick-off for him to be eligible.

Magilton said: “West Ham were away in Greece until Monday so we have not been able to do anything. Mark is a very good player and I would like to get him in before the Wolves match but we will have to wait and see.”

The money from Leeds for Ian Westlake, plus whatever can be generated from selling Parkin, would help Town in their bid to secure even more players, with Manchester United's Paul McShane still a possibility.

The likelihood of signing Chris Sutton on a pay-as-you- play basis is less likely, with the former Norwich City striker understood to be asking around £10,000 for game.

A concessionary ticket complete with coach travel is available for free for Town's game at Leicester City on Saturday. Contact 01473 787237.