IPSWICH Town will make an operating loss again next season.This was confirmed today by chief executive Derek Bowden. But manager Jim Magilton's ability to splash the cash in the transfer market and on wages will not be affected.

Elvin King

IPSWICH Town will make an operating loss again next season.

This was confirmed today by chief executive Derek Bowden. But manager Jim Magilton's ability to splash the cash in the transfer market and on wages will not be affected.

Thanks to the influx of money following the takeover of the club by millionaire businessman Marcus Evans last December, the Blues boss will continue to have considerable funds to bolster his side into a promotion-winning one.

Magilton was handed £12million for use in the January transfer window on players' fees and players' wages and he has been promised more during the close season as he looks to bring in at least three newcomers to strengthen the spine of his team - goalkeeper, central defender and 20-goal-a-season striker.

But Bowden confirmed that Ipswich will have to continue to be careful in the way the Portman Road-based club is run.

He said: “The Coca-Cola Championship is a loss making league, and all our rivals will be in the same boat.

“We will make an operating loss next year, although the financial position for Championship clubs will improve from 2009/10 when a new television deal comes into force.

“This is why we have to keep raising prices although the 14,000 or so season tickets who took advantage of our 'Early Bird' scheme will watch football for virtually the same price as last season.”

Bowden also revealed that there will be no major changes in the way the Blues are run following the Evans takeover.

Evans has had his people working at the club since January and sees no reason to alter the structure or personnel.

“Marcus is enjoying his involvement with Ipswich Town and ended up watching a number of games,” added Bowden.

“It has been a good year and I don't anticipate any significant changes to the way we are operating.

“He wants to take the club into the Premier League and it is why he bought the club. But when we get there he wants to stay there, and we will be better equipped for that in 12 months' time.”

Ipswich expect to confirm the names of the two Premier League clubs they will be entertaining in pre-season friendlies later today.

The first match will at Portman Road on Saturday, July 26 and the second on Monday, August 4. Town have an agreement to play top Italian club Lazio one more time at home, but this will be put on hold this year.

The Blues are going to spend five days training at Loughborough University again this summer as part of their pre-season build-up.

“It worked well last year and we are dealing with real professionals,” said Magilton. “We expect to play a couple of games on the perfect pitches within the university grounds.”

Magilton has confirmed that he has received no enquiries for any of his players, adding: “As much as we don't want interest in players like Owen Garvan, we can't help it because their performances will attract suitors.

“We have offered Owen a contract extension and there is nothing we would like more than for him to put pen to paper.

“He still has a lot to learn but he has made massive strides. However, if an offer is made and it was too good to turn down then we would sell.”