SOCCER: IpswichTown manager George Burley has said that his bid to land a top foreign midfield man was "getting closer by the minute". The Blues chief is hopeful that the player may be landed in time to play in Sunday's live Sky Sports clash with Bolton Wanderers at Portman Road.

By Dave Allard

IPSWICH Town manager George Burley said today that his bid to land a top foreign midfield man was "getting closer by the minute".

The Blues chief is hopeful that the player may be landed in time to play in Sunday's live Sky Sports clash with Bolton Wanderers at Portman Road.

"For obvious reasons I don't want to disclose the name of the player or the size of the fee we are looking to pay," said Burley.

"Progress is certainly being made as we try to settle on a figure with the club concerned. We're getting closer by the minute and talks will continue today.

"Once we can get the fee sorted we can then talk personal terms with the player. I'll be pushing on today in this respect and hopefully we can tie something up in the next few days.

"We start a hectic programme of matches with a visit from Bolton Wanderers here on Sunday. Every effort is being made to get this particular player before then.

"But it is often the case with transfer deals that sorting out the fee can be a longish process and this is certainly proving the case with this one. But we have identified a player that we feel can help us now in an area of the team that needs strengthening and we are working hard on it."

Burley was away at the weekend looking at a match with a view to building up information on possible future targets.

He said: "Due to the internationals there were not many club games to catch my interest. I went to have a look at an Under-21 game aboard."

Meanwhile, the manager explained that he has a 24-hour recall clause in the loan agreement surrounding central defender Wayne Brown at Wimbledon.

The Town boss agreed for the loan to be extended for a third month last Friday.

"Wayne is getting regular first team football and is doing quite well. I'm happy for him to stay for a further month," said Burley.

"I understand that Wimbledon may be keen to make it permanent but as yet I have had no bid.

"If we need Wayne back here we can take him at 24 hours notice and that is an important factor in the situation."

On the injury front, Town are set to have Sixto Peralta – the Argentinian midfield man on loan from Inter Milan – fit for the Bolton match.

Peralta missed the last game, the Blues' 2-1 defeat at Chelsea, with a bruised knee.

Central defender John McGreal his missed the last three games with a back strain. The situation is improving but he remains under treatment.

Alun Armstrong hopes to get back into training this week after a virus.

The central defensive pair of Titus Bramble and Mark Venus have been protecting sore ankles in training. They are set for weekend action.

Striker Richard Naylor should also be available after a foot problem.