THE signs today are very encouraging for Ipswich Town that Iván Campo will sign for them.

Derek Davis

THE signs today are very encouraging for Ipswich Town that Iván Campo will sign for them.

Campo is today mulling over terms offered by Town manager Jim Magilton and it is understood the club is optimistic the former Real Madrid star will return.

Talks went well at Portman Road with the 34-year-old impressed by what he saw at Ipswich and the ambition and plans outlined by Magilton.

The Blues boss said: “If we can match his expectations we could strike a deal and if we do it would be good for both parties."

A free agent after being released earlier in the summer by Bolton wanderers, Campo has a couple of other options, including the chance to play in his native Spain at Real Sociedad, near where his parents live.

Town striker Pablo Counago, who shares the same agent, has urged Campo to join him at Portman Road and that in its own small way could help in the decision.

Magilton is keen to land another two experienced defenders - one left back and one centre half.

Campo would fit that bill, as would Bobo Balde who Town have shown an interest in but the Celtic defender is in talks with Birmingham City and Sunderland.

As Ben Thatcher keeps his fitness up by playing for clubs up and down the country, the chances of him starting for the Blues against Preston look slim, although many clubs may want to wait until the free agent is clear of the threat of a 15-match ban.

The ban is a suspended sentence dating back almost two years from his time at Manchester City and ends in September.