IPSWICH are poised to sell out-of-favour striker Sam Parkin to Coventry.The deal is expected to go through this week as new Town boss Jim Magilton continues to reshape his squad.

By Mel Henderson

IPSWICH are poised to sell out-of-favour striker Sam Parkin to Coventry.

The deal is expected to go through this week as new Town boss Jim Magilton continues to reshape his squad.

Parkin, 25, did not feature in Saturday's 2-1 opening day defeat by Crystal Palace and has failed to settle since Joe Royle signed him from Swindon for £500,000 last summer.

Ironically, Coventry want him to beef up an attack minus ex-Town star James Scowcroft, who marked his Palace debut with a match-winning display at Portman Road on Saturday.

The Sky Blues have agreed a deal that will see Ipswich receive a £200,000 initial fee up front with additional payments, based on appearances, to follow.

Ipswich are prepared to cut their losses on the ex-Chelsea player who netted five times in 20 appearances, three as a substitute, last term.

It has been a disappointing year for Parkin, who was much in demand after scoring 73 goals in three seasons with Swindon.

But what should have been a dream move has turned into a nightmare and a change of scenery may be just what he needs to recapture his previous form.

Parkin suffered a broken ankle in the home defeat by Reading last November and was sidelined until the last day of the season when he appeared as a 53rd minute substitute at Plymouth.

His pre-season form was disappointing and he has moved down the pecking order behind Nicky Forster, Dean Bowditch, Alan Lee, Danny Haynes and Billy Clarke.

Parkin's departure will pave the way for Magilton to wheel and deal in the transfer market before the August 31 deadline.

He is already set to welcome 19-year-old West Ham midfielder Mark Noble in a loan deal.

And armed with the cash handed over by Leeds last week, as part of the player-exchange deal involving Ian Westlake and Dan Harding, he is ready to swoop for Manchester United youngster Paul McShane.

The 20-year-old defender was wanted on a season-long loan deal but Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson is demanding £250,000 for a permanent transfer.