IPSWICH chief executive Derek Bowden today confirmed that despite the closing of the transfer window he still expects boss Jim Magilton to strengthen his squad.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH chief executive Derek Bowden today confirmed that despite the closing of the transfer window he still expects boss Jim Magilton to strengthen his squad.

“There remains a budget to do this,” insisted Bowden.

Players can still be signed if they are not under a current contract with another club - such as possible target Bob Malcolm, who is a former Rangers man.

And loan players can be signed from this Friday, September 8, for a period of 93 days, which takes them up to the opening of the next transfer window in early January.

“Within the regulations that now exist, the manager has the finance to bolster his squad in the days and weeks ahead,” said Bowden.

Malcolm, 25, who has been released by the Scottish giants, joins Ipswich on trial this week.

And Dutch defender Joey Van Den Berg is also having a trial at Portman Road.

Njazi Kuqi, the younger brother of former Town star Shefki, came on as a second half substitute in Saturday's Richard Naylor testimonial.

The striker is also on trial. He had a brief spell with Ipswich in 2003/04 and then joined Birmingham.

Fabian Wilnis took a knock with his last kick in training on Friday and he says he must be a slight doubt for next Saturday's home Championship game against Southampton.

But Billy Clarke and Dean Bowditch have both confirmed that they are only suffering from slight knocks and should be back in action against the Saints.

The Ipswich Town XI on Saturday was also without loan players Mark Noble, Simon Walton and Jon Macken, while Alex Bruce and Lewis Price were on international under-21 duty and

permanent signing Sylvain Legwinski was back in France for the weekend.