IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton is hoping to make two - possibly three - signings this week.Magilton is banking on the newcomers having the quality to turn his squad into one that will fulfil his dreams.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton is hoping to make two - possibly three - signings this week.

Magilton is banking on the newcomers having the quality to turn his squad into one that will fulfil his dreams.

“It is not a panic measure, as these signings have been in the pipeline for a while,” stressed Magilton, who was scathing about his side's first-half showing in the 1-1 draw with Dutch part-timers Dordrecht on Friday.

The manager has a practice match arranged early this week so that his players can get the feel of the new grass that has been put down at Portman Road since the concert by the Red Hot Chili Peppers three weeks ago.

And he sees the Lazio home match on Friday match as one where his team will show their true colours. One where all the hard work put in on the training ground over the last month will bear fruit.

But it was a defender and two midfield players who scored the goals as the Blues pocketed a hat-trick of 1-1 draws.

Matt Richards struck late to earn a draw against Willem II, Ian Westlake headed Town ahead against Zulte-Waregem, and it was captain for the night and central defender Richard Naylor who headed the leveller against Dordrecht.

While potential trump card Nicky Forster was bubbly and engaging off the field his effervescent approach failed to bring any reward in the games.

But he is fully fit and determined to grab at least a dozen goals this campaign.

Teenagers Billy Clarke and Darryl Knights did their reputations no harm when coming on as substitutes, and Dean Bowditch showed enough in the first game before suffering shin problems that his confidence is returning.

But Sam Parkin, who missed training one day with a foot knock, struggled in his two games and his inability to settle fully in the area could be taking a toll.

The £400,000 signing from Swindon last summer is happy enough at the club and gives his all - and a couple of early season goals might still spark a successful season.

He was tried behind Forster and Danny Haynes, who continues to improve, in the game against Dordrecht, but it was not a success.

All four trialists on the six-day tour failed to last the distance and although Alex Bertin and Marko Kolsi in particular showed up well they did not possess the magic that Magilton is looking for to transform his squad.

He is keeping his fingers crossed that he can announce signings this week that will do just that.

IPSWICH are hoping that Gavin Williams will be able to train with the rest of the squad this week and be in contention for a place against Lazio. Striker Alan Lee could feature in some part of that game.

But Owen Garvan's problems are a worry. Even though he has recovered from shingles his fitness levels are not as high as would be liked.

Matt Richards, Dean Bowditch and Sito Castro are all under treatment for what are expected to be short term ailments.

AVID Ipswich Town fan Kevin Moyes could not believe his luck when the last match was switched from FC Brussels to Dordrecht.

He lives a couple of miles from the Dutch club's ground and the wheelchair-based supporter had a place between the dug-outs to watch the match. His partner is Dutch and Kevin, who hails from Botesdale, moved to Holland two years ago. He was presented with a signed Town shirt.