DEREK Bowden, the Ipswich Town chief executive, today revealed that manager Jim Magilton will have to work under financial constraints from now on.“We are not awash with money,” said Bowden.

Elvin King

DEREK Bowden, the Ipswich Town chief executive, today revealed that manager Jim Magilton will have to work under financial constraints from now on.

“We are not awash with money,” said Bowden.

Since Marcus Evans took over the Coca-Cola Championship club last December, Magilton has been handed £12million to bolster his squad into one that can reach the Premier League.

And, during the summer transfer window, more cash was made available with the Marcus Evans Group taking over as main club sponsors.

But the funding looks as though it might dry up considerably now.

“Jim has the tools he needs to do his job,” said Bowden. “But there is a ceiling.

“We are not awash with money and it will be a case of the right player at the right time for the right price.

“If the manager wants to strengthen more then his request will, of course, be considered.

“There are one or two possible loan targets that could turn into emergency loan signings next week.

“But it takes two to tango and we have to get the agreement of the 'selling' club.

“If it happens, fine, if it doesn't then it will not be a tragedy.”

A central defender and left-sided player are the positions that Magilton wants to strengthen, with Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross the latest to be linked with the Blues.

Since promotion to the top flight, the Potters have signed defenders Ibrahima Sonko, Danny Higginbotham and Andrew Davies.

Shawcross, 20, joined Stoke from Manchester United for £1million in January after spending the first six months of last season on loan at the Britannia Stadium.

The England Under-21 international spent time on loan at Royal Antwerp while on the books of Manchester United.

Bowden says that Evans' involvement is proving good for Town.

“He has provided some welcome investment and his involvement has proved good for the club.”

And Bowden says that stories of VIP fans having to pay for their refreshments at games this season, and the use of video links for meetings with Evans, are facts of life in the modern age.

“We now make a nominal charge for refreshments,” explained Bowden.

“Clubs in the Championship, like ourselves, make several million pounds operating losses every season and we are attempting to minimise this.

“We are trying to be as cost effective as we can.

“We have video links set up in Jim's office, the boardroom and in the Trust office.

“It is a green way of doing things and carbon neutral, saving trips to London or wherever, and making discussion more efficient than on the telephone.