FRANCIS Jeffers could be back at Portman Road next week - and the whole of next season.“I am sure we can get the best out of him,” said Ipswich Town manager Jim Magilton today.

By Elvin King

FRANCIS Jeffers could be back at Portman Road next week - and the whole of next season.

“I am sure we can get the best out of him,” said Ipswich Town manager Jim Magilton today. “He has had a hell of a time in recent seasons and now is the time to get his career back on track.”

The Blackburn Rovers striker is making a quicker than expected recovery from his hamstring tear and Magilton is to talk with Jeffers and Rovers boss Mark Hughes about the possibility of player finishing his rehabilitation at Ipswich - and playing next month.

Magilton said: “Frannie made a huge impression during his loan time with us.

“We would love to have him back and if everyone is agreed and we can be sure that we will get some games out of him, then we will sign him for the rest of the season.

“And I do not see any major obstacles in signing Frannie full time next season, although talks will have to take place with Blackburn where he has a contract to 2008.”

With skipper Jason De Vos troubled by a painful foot, Ian Miller and Tommy Smith could both make their Town debuts before the season is over.

Miller has been gaining valuable experience in League Two with Boston United and now Darlington, after joining the Blues from Bury Town.

His progress has not gone unnoticed at Portman Road and Magilton has confirmed that he might bring him back and give him a game this season.

The manager has already said that highly-rated 17-year-old central defender Tommy Smith is also in line to make his debut soon.

Smith is currently with the England Under-17 squad in Bosnia.

Striker Danny Haynes won his second England Under-19 cap last night in a 1-0 friendly win over Turkey at Doncaster. Haynes came on as a half-time substitute.

Sylvain Legwinski will be out for over a fortnight after suffering a bruised foot in the 2-0 victory at Luton on Saturday.

TOWN manager Jim Magilton has confirmed he is dead against penalty shoot-outs deciding a winner in drawn Football League games.

The idea was mooted by league chairman Lord Mawhinney, but has been knocked down by Magilton.

“I will happily take an honourable 0-0 away draw,” he said. “We have lost ten games 1-0 this season, and how much higher we would be in the table if we had drawn a high percentage.

“Draws are part and parcel of the game, and if you win your home games you should be well placed.

“I am sure fans would get fed up with seeing shoot-outs.”

Town chairman David Sheepshanks agrees with his manager reported as being one of the Football League committee against the idea as he does not want to upset relations between the Championship and the Premiership.