CONTINUED good results and a successful share issue will give Ipswich Town enough financial clout to be able to make their current loan moves more permanent.

CONTINUED good results and a successful share issue will give Ipswich Town enough financial clout to be able to make their current loan moves more permanent, writes Derek Davis.

Ipswich Town chairman David Sheepshanks last night vowed to back manager Joe Royle's team-building, which will be made easier if the Blues' current good run of form continues.

With eight wins and a draw in the last 10 games Town have surged up the table into seventh place and confidence is at a peak at Portman Road.

Sheepshanks said: “Without talking about individuals, we are looking to support Joe in decisions he makes. All three loan players have done good jobs and all being well we will be able to look at a permanent solution.

“But there is no point in discussing it further at this juncture.

“The more successful we are on the pitch, the better the crowds we will get, and the better the prospects of keeping them.

“A good cup run, television revenue and increased attendance are all a factor.

“Also the success of the share issue will determine if we can invest in the team.

“So it is in our own hands, the onus is not really on the supporters. It always comes back down to how well the team performs on the pitch; the more successful we are, the better off financially we will be.”

Royle has another month before making a final decision on whether to take Alan Mahon, who is recovering from a hamstring injury.

Blackburn would allow Mahon to go for free but Town would have to pay the full amount of his wages and offer a commitment until at least the end of the season as league rules do not allow him to continue on loan.

Charlton have yet to give the go-ahead for a third month's loan for Chris Bart-Williams but that appears to be a formality as he is not in Alan Curbishley's plans at all.

Shefki Kuqi is just one month into his three-month loan spell from Sheffield Wednesday and has got three goals to his name already.

Meanwhile, Royle is hoping to have two more key players back in the first-team fold again as Martijn Reuser and John McGreal turn out for the reserves at Watford tomorrow.

McGreal played well last week against Derby County, while Dutchman Reuser is hoping to feel no il-effects from a recent groin injury.