IPSWICH Town chances of adding David Nugent's goals to the quest for a Premier League place will depend on the striker's willingness to step down to the Coca-Cola Championship.

Elvin King

IPSWICH Town chances of adding David Nugent's goals to the quest for a Premier League place will depend on the striker's willingness to step down to the Coca-Cola Championship.

Town are reported to have made a £3.5million bid, but today the club would not confirm this or reports that the player is set for a medical within the next few days.

Nugent thrives at Portman Road where he has a remarkable scoring record, and Blues boss Jim Magilton has admitted his renewed interest in the 23-year-old England international.

A Town spokesman said today: “It is well documented that Jim Magilton has an admiration for the striker, but there is nothing more to say.”

Nugent sat out most of last season although he did score the winning goal in an FA Cup game at Portman Road - and he also appeared in the final at Wembley Stadium.

He is ambitious and reluctance on his part to drop down to the Championship was the main reason he did not show major interest on a loan move to Town in March.

Pompey appear keen to let Nugent go and Ipswich are certainly in the chase for him with a fee and wages (although not necessarily over £3million) are within their grasp.

Nugent was missing from Pompey's trip to South Africa because of a groin problem.

Magilton has said any animosity caused by Nugent's refusal to respond to the Town boss' approaches over a loan deal are now forgotten. At the time Magilton washed his hands of the player, but today he said: “That is now forgotten and we are starting from a clean sheet again.

“We tried to get him in, it didn't happen and we moved on. I would go back in for Nugent because I know he can live at this level and we know he enjoys scoring at Portman Road.”

Magilton is not raising hopes of any more signings by the start of the Coca-Cola Championship season tomorrow week, but he is still searching to bring in players with a striker, central defender and left back still his targets.

A deal to bring left back Ben Thatcher to Portman Road is still not dead despite the player having a trial with Wolverhampton.

Goalkeeper Stephen Bywater, who had a six month loan spell at Town from Derby last season, is being linked with a move to Tottenham, while 21-year-old Crewe striker Nicky Maynard has signed a four-year deal with Bristol City after a £2.25 million transfer.