IPSWICH Town are poised to make an improved offer to land Plymouth midfielder David Norris.Blues boss Jim Magilton is aware that former Plymouth boss Ian Holloway is keen to take his former skipper to Leicester City and a couple of other Championship clubs are also tracking the highly-sought-after 26-year-old.

By Derek Davis

IPSWICH Town are poised to make an improved offer to land Plymouth midfielder David Norris.

Blues boss Jim Magilton is aware that former Plymouth boss Ian Holloway is keen to take his former skipper to Leicester City and a couple of other Championship clubs are also tracking the highly-sought-after 26-year-old.

With Marcus Evans' takeover of Ipswich Town expected to be ratified at an EGM on December 17, Magilton has been told he has £12million in funds to strengthen his squad.

While Magilton is not prepared to talk about who he wants to sign it is no secret that he is a big admirer of Norris and he would be one of two he would try to sign in January. The Blues were refused permission to talk to Norris in the summer, with Plymouth saying he was not for sale.

A new manager in Paul Sturrock at Home Park could mean a change of heart and a bid of around £2m could sweeten the deal, if the player can show he wants to play for Ipswich.

Defender Rob Jones at Hibernian remains a target, while a front man is also understood to be on Magilton's list.

Blues boss Jim Magilton, speaking ahead of tonight's clash with Bristol City at Ashton Gate, confirmed he has specific targets in mind.

“We know the players we want. We have not gone further than to identify the players we want and when the time comes we will go and get them.

“The coaching staff, chairman and chief executive know who we want. We want to build on what we have already go and one or two that are better will do us.

“I'm constantly looking but we need to take our time and make sure they are the right players.”

By the right players Magilton also means ones who will not disrupt the dressing room by excessive wage demands or being big stars past their best.

He added: “We know that if we are looking at players at our level or below then clubs will ask for more money because they know we have a bit of money. We won't pay over the odds and it may be that deals are not done in early January because clubs don't want to lose their best players.”

Town chairman David Sheepshanks doesn't expect his manager to blow the lot in one transfer window but said the investment by new owner Marcus Evans will be made available instantly.

Sheepshanks confirmed: “The £12m will go directly to Jim to pay wages and bring in players.

“There will be two, possibly three new players but there will not be wholesale change.

“It is a case of adding to the squad with a couple of players in key positions to strengthen the team and our resolve to get more points away from home.”