EVERTON have joined Leeds in the race to sign Ipswich star Jermaine Wright.And Town boss Joe Royle is looking for a decision from the 28-year-old midfielder before the end of the week.

EVERTON have joined Leeds in the race to sign Ipswich star Jermaine Wright.

And Town boss Joe Royle is looking for a decision from the 28-year-old midfielder before the end of the week.

Wright, out of contract at Portman Road, has been offered a new deal to extend his five-year stay at the club.

But he has been asked to take a significant cut in salary - and the terms on offer at both Goodison Park and Elland Road are far more attractive.

Royle, back at his desk today after almost two weeks at his holiday home in Majorca, admitted: “The odds are that Jamma will be moving on. He is coveted by both Everton and Leeds.

“It is now up to him to decide and, while he has until the 28th of the month, I have spoken to his agent and both he and Jamma agree that I need to know what is happening as soon as possible.

“It would be good to know before the end of the week what his plans are. We could perhaps replace him from within the squad, but ideally I would like to bring someone in.”

Ipswich cannot possibly compete with what Everton and Leeds, despite their problems, can afford to offer Wright, a £500,000 buy from Crewe in 1999.

Meanwhile, striker Marcus Bent is another Town star whose future is uncertain now that he has returned from a season-long loan at Leicester.

The Foxes initially showed an interest in keeping Bent at the Walkers Stadium, but Royle said: “They didn't want to pay a fee for him and we have said we require one.”

Bent, who has one year of his contract to run, is known to be on a bigger-than-average salary - the main reason for allowing him to have a temporary stint at Leicester.

With Town committed to reducing their wage bill, they will have to decide between thrusting Bent into the first team picture again or allowing him to move for nothing.

Royle's search for a new striker has been shelved, at least for the time being, with both Bent and the fit-again Pablo Counago available for the new campaign.

While Wright ponders his future, the Town boss plans to speak to the other out-of-contract players who have been offered new deals in the next few days.

Fabian Wilnis, Richard Naylor, John McGreal and Jim Magilton, who are all considering 12-month packages, seem likely to stay put.

Royle will be busy over the remainder of the week before jetting off to Portugal for Euro 2004, which he is covering as a member of the BBC TV team.