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With the start of the season now immenent fans could be forgiven for feeling depressed at the fact that Ipswich are now the only Championship side yet to add to their ranks before the new campaign. On August 5 new manager Jim Magilton now looks likely to go into 2006/2007 with the inherited squad that produced the Clubs worst finish in 40 seasons; 15th in the second tier of English football.
However, the latest revelations from Chief Executive, Derek Bowden that the clubs finest young stars are not for sale after the board turned down four bids, including one for Darren Currie from Championship promotion hopefuls Leeds, is cause for optimism.
Bowden also hinted that the reported failure of the Clubs share issue to supporters, proceeds of which were to go directly into the managers transfer kitty, was misreported and that in fact, the Club have raised around the £800,000 mark for Jim to bring in new faces.
After the failure to loan Paul McSahne of Manchester United, Magilton's first priority will be a defender, with Leeds' former England U21 defender, Dan Harding still be linked. Jim also wants to bolster his midfield options though and is a Tommy Miller goal-getter is much needed but the former Tractor Boy himself looks set to stay under Nail Quinn's plans at the Stadium of Light.
After their 2-0 defeat at home to Lazio and the Reserve's 4-4 thiller at The Abbey Stadium a day later, Magilton will use the last scheduled friendly at Bury Town's Ram Meadow on Tuesday night as a last chance to give some of his senior players some match sharpness and vitally, a confidence booster ahead of Saturday's Championship opener against last season's play-off losers, Crystal Palace.
Trio Owen Garvan, Alan Lee and Gavin Williams, who have all suffered pre-season injury set-backs could all play the majority of the game at Ram Meadow as they push for a chance to be selected for the visist of Palace.