FORMER Ipswich Town striker John Deehan is working for the Blues again.The 45-year-old ex-Norwich and Wigan boss has been recruited as a part-time scout as boss Joe Royle bids to further boost his squad for next season.

By Dave Allard

FORMER Ipswich Town striker John Deehan is working for the Blues again.

The 45-year-old ex-Norwich and Wigan boss has been recruited as a part-time scout as boss Joe Royle bids to further boost his squad for next season.

Deehan's last job was as assistant manager to Graham Taylor at Aston Villa.

When Taylor resigned at the end of last season, Deehan lost his post at Villa Park.

"I'm thrilled to have been offered this job with Ipswich," said Deehan, who was signed by Bobby Ferguson from Norwich for Town in the summer of 1986, a straight swap deal that took midfield player Trevor Putney to Carrow Road.

He continued: "I know Joe Royle well. In fact, when he left Norwich as a player I arrived from West Bromwich Albion to take his place. Ipswich chief scout Colin Suggett has a great reputation and I'm really looking forward to working with what I consider to be a highly professional managerial and coaching staff at Portman Road.

"Town just failed to make the First Division play-offs last season. I saw then draw 1-1 at Molineux towards the end with a Wolves side that won the play-off final against Sheffield United.

"Ipswich have a good squad and I hope to be able to help them improve it even further."

Deehan won seven England Under 21 caps in a playing career that also saw him play for Aston Villa, Manchester City and Barnsley.

Besides managing Norwich and Wigan he has also been assistant boss at Manchester City, Barnsley, Huddersfield and Sheffield United.

The much travelled Deehan lives was born in Birmingham and lives in the Midlands. He said: "There are so many clubs here and a lot of my work will centred in this area. But I'll be only too happy to go wherever the club wants me to. I'm looking forward to a happy and successful relationship with Ipswich Town."

It was felt that Deehan might link up in some capacity with Steve Bruce at Birmingham City. They were team-mates at Norwich and Deehan was the ex-Manchester United skipper's assistant boss at Huddersfield and Sheffield United.

Other clubs were also interested in taking Deehan on.

But he was only too happy to re-join a Town club for whom he once scored a hat-trick in a Blues 4-3 win at West Brom in September 1986.