IPSWICH Town boss Roy Keane has made Sheffield Wednesday an offer for commanding centre-back Richard Wood ahead of tonight's 5pm transfer deadline.

Stuart Watson

IPSWICH Town boss Roy Keane has made Sheffield Wednesday an offer for commanding centre-back Richard Wood ahead of tonight's 5pm transfer deadline.

The 24-year-old Yorkshireman is the longest-serving member of the Owls squad having come through the Hillsborough youth set-up and is a key member of their first team.

But he had a transfer request for unknown reasons turned down at the start of last season and was further disappointed this summer when he was stripped of the captaincy by manager Brian Laws, who has handed the armband to new signing Darren Purse.

This prompted further reports that Wood had once again asked to leave the club, however, the defender was quick to deny that to be the case when, five weeks ago, he claimed: “I am absolutely happy here and there is absolutely no truth whatsoever in this news.”

However, Wood is yet to sign a new contract with his boyhood club, despite him having been offered a new deal at the end of last season, and will soon be entering the final year of his current deal.

Laws rates Wood highly and will not want to lose him, especially so close to the transfer window, but if the player shows a desire to make the move then he may be forced to cash in.

Keane admitted following Saturday's 1-1 draw with Preston - his side's second point from five league matches - that he was desperate to make additions to his squad.

And strengthening his defence is believed to be the main priority after a number of combinations have been tried across the back four since the start of the season.

Wood - a commanding 6ft 3in defender - missed only four of Sheffield Wednesday's 46 league games last season and has not missed a minute of their five Championship fixtures this season.

He has scored twice in the last two games, a scrambled effort in the Owls' 4-0 win over Scunthorpe being followed up by a headed opener in his side's 3-1 victory at Plymouth last week.

Prior to that Wood had scored just five goals in over 150 appearances for the Yorkshire club.

Meanwhile, Ipswich's talks with Sunderland winger Carlos Edwards are at an advanced stage following extensive contract discussions.

The 30-year-old arrived in Honduras last night for Trinidad & Tobago's World Cup Qualifier on Saturday having spent four days negotiating terms.

There are still a few details of the transfer to be completed but it is hoped that a deal can be concluded before the window shuts.