IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton will have an increased spotlight on him with news of the imminent takeover by wealthy businessman Marcus Evans.And he has his first ticklish decision to make at this weekend.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton will have an increased spotlight on him with news of the imminent takeover by wealthy businessman Marcus Evans.

And he has his first ticklish decision to make at this weekend.

Magilton must decide whether to keep striker Pablo Counago in the team for the derby at Norwich on Sunday.

The Spanish front man may be the darling of the fans and a free scoring will-of-the-wisp at Portman Road.

He starred last week in home victories over Colchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers. But Counago could find himself dropped for the visit to Carrow Road after sitting out the last two away matches - encouraging draws at Burnley and Queens Park Rangers.

Counago is an enigma, and if Magilton can get him playing as well away as he does at home then surely a top-six place can be maintained.

Does he play him on Sunday - or revert back to the 4-5-1 system that has served his team well on their last two trips?

The new prospective owner of the club, who will hold nearly 90% of the shares if the takeover is ratified, will no doubt be looking for advancement to the riches of the Premier League.

This is what attracted him to invest £44million in the Blues - a club with the potential to mix it with the big boys with just one season in the top flight accruing an estimated £60million.

At the end of the day he will have the final say on all matters relating to Ipswich Town, but the future of up-and-coming manager Magilton will surely be secure.

And this is the right way to go - with Magilton proving himself more than capable of making the right decisions in the hot seat.