Royle still chasing two

By Mel Henderson

IPSWICH boss Joe Royle today refused to rule out the possibility of a new face in his line-up to face Gillingham on Saturday.

The Town boss revealed he is trying to bring in TWO loan stars - with either or both just a phone call away from heading in the direction of Portman Road.

“We know who we want and we are waiting for them,” said Royle, with the opening game of the new season just 48 hours away.

Chairman David Sheepshanks is handling the negotiations, leaving Royle with no alternative but to play a waiting game before knowing whether he must turn his attention elsewhere.

Royle is refusing to participate in the inevitable guessing game as to the identity of the two players he wants to bring in.

But I understand he has not given up hope of luring Arsenal youngster Justin Hoyte - and that his other target is a striker.

The Gunners have sanctioned a loan move for the 19-year-old rising star, but must first sign a right-back after their move for Tunisia international Hatem Trabelsi of Ajax ran into problems.

Other newspaper reports claim Hoyte is set to move elsewhere on loan and that he will reject Town's overtures because he would prefer to remain in London.

But, while refusing to confirm or deny that Hoyte is the player he wants, Royle insisted a move to bring in a Premiership defender, which he first revealed last month, remains very much alive.

The Town boss has also targeted a striker after admitting that Finland international Shefki Kuqi could leave on a free transfer and that bids for Pablo Counago would have to be considered because of his higher-than-average earnings.

Royle added: “We have not received a firm answer one way or the other to either of our enquiries, which means all we can do is wait. But things can change very quickly.”