Boss Jim Magilton says he will end his attempt to re-sign keeper Richard Wright from West Ham if the deal isn't done by the end of the week. The Town manager has another goalkeeping option if a deal can't be done.

Magilton said: "We are not prepared to wait too much longer. We would like to get something tied up by the end of the week at the latest.

"I will give it a few more days and see how the land lies and I hope a deal can be concluded, if not we will look elsewhere.

"We have to have other irons in the fire and we are constantly on the look out for then right sort. If it is not Richard it will be someone else. There is another goalkeeper we are in talks with.”

West Ham are believed to be stalling due uncertainty regarding first choice Robert Green's future, with Aston Villa and Blackburn believed to be interested in the England man, who is keen to sign a more lucrative deal than his current terms at Upton Park. The Hammers adding another keeper to their ranks, something which was reported to be not far away last week, could change the situation with Wright.

Meanwhile, Town start their pre-season tour of Belfast today with a game against Cliftonville. One man unlikely to be involved is midfielder David Norris who continues to have problems with his heel despite undergoing surgery over the summer.

Gareth McAuley and Richard Naylor both missed Friday's 2-0 victory at Brentford but have made the trip to Magilton's home town. The Blues have named a 20-man squad with the likes of Dean Bowditch, Billy Clarke and Matt Richards left behind.

Magilton says there may be new faces joining the party as the tour progresses: "We may have a couple of players join us during the week. We are at advanced stages with one or two but until they are actually in the door we won't say anything.”

Town are still hopeful that Rudi Skácel will sign from Southampton, while the Blues will talk to Angelos Charisteas once the Greek international returns to Nuremberg after his summer break on Tuesday.

Reports in Germany over the weekend suggested that while Charisteas isn't ruling out a switch to Portman Road, he isn't overly keen. Magilton says the Blues want to speak to him and then see where they stand: "We want to know if he is interested and if he is, fantastic, we will sit and have a chat, if not we move on to other targets.”

Magilton has confirmed that he has spoken to Nicky Maynard's agent, but that the Crewe striker is one of a number of possible targets. The Town boss says he has heard nothing from Shola Ameobi's representatives since the Newcastle man returned from his honeymoon, so that deal looks dead. No moves out of Portman Road are expected imminently.

Elsewhere, Marcus Bent is set to complete his move to Cardiff City from Charlton, while Marcus Stewart has joined League Two Exeter City after leaving Yeovil.

Squad for Belfast tour: Supple, D Wright, Balkestein, McAuley, Naylor, Smith, Casement, Bruce, Peters, Quinn, Trotter, Haynes, Garvan, Roberts, Walters, Miller, Rhodes, Lee, Sumulikoski, Couñago.

Photo: Action Images

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