IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton the last night confirmed his determination to sign striker Francis Jeffers.Magilton said the Blackburn striker was the sort of player who could make a difference to a side.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton the last night confirmed his determination to sign striker Francis Jeffers.

Magilton said the Blackburn striker was the sort of player who could make a difference to a side.

He said: “We know what he can do, and we know what he can do for us.

“I am adamant that I want to get my man and have faith that it will happen.

“We would like any deal to be completed as soon as possible, but I realise that it could go down to the wire.

“We must remain determined - but also show patience.

“In my fledgling managerial career no transfer has yet gone through smoothly.”

Town have been given a boost in their attempt to sign the 26-year-old striker who made such a big impression while on loan at Portman Road last season.

Blackburn's chairman John Williams admits they are willing to sell - but only if the price is right.

Williams said: “He probably isn't first choice and that makes manager Mark Hughes come to the view that if we receive the right offer, we wouldn't want to stand in Francis' way.

“To be fair to Ipswich, they've done it properly. They made us an offer - we rejected it. They've made an improved offer and we've rejected that, and this is where we stand.”

Jeffers, who joined Blackburn on a free from Charlton last summer, has one year on his contract to run.

Despite getting him for nothing, Williams insists Rovers are within their rights to demand a fair price.

He added: “We don't think we're being at all unreasonable. There might be a feeling that because we got Francis on a Bosman, that we should be lowering our expectation. I just don't get that at all.

“But what we don't want to do is price Francis out of a move.”

Blackburn have received no other offers for Jeffers, who is currently on holiday. Ipswich's second bid was reportedly for £500,000 with add-ons.

Meanwhile, Jim Magilton has said he has no interest in signing Hull City midfielder Dean Marney.