IPSWICH Town will not be drawn into a price war with Crewe Alexandra over the possible transfer of sought-after young striker Nicky Maynard.

Elvin King

IPSWICH Town will not be drawn into a price war with Crewe Alexandra over the possible transfer of sought-after young striker Nicky Maynard.

Speculation that the League One side might now be willing to let their hot property go increased with yesterday's arrival at Gresty Road of front man Antony Elding from Leeds United.

Elding is reported to have cost hard-up Crewe £150,000, and fuelled suggestions that this fee will be recovered by income from the sale of Maynard.

But Blues boss Jim Magilton, who was today putting his side through their paces in front of fans during an open morning at Portman Road, is in no mood to pay over the odds for a player who has yet to fully mature.

Magilton is still looking to strengthen his squad and another striker is believed to be on his shopping list along with a left back and central defender.

Crewe are reported to have put a £2.5million fee on the head of 21-year-old Maynard and although Magilton is a big admirer of the free-scoring striker he is not in the market to pay that sort of money.

- For more on this story see tonight's Evening Star