Jim Could Leave on Loan

[Riviera]

Boss Joe Royle says he would allow skipper Jim Magilton to leave the club on loan for the remainder of the season if the Northern Irishman was keen on a switch. Last month, Magilton said he felt he could move on from Portman Road before his contract is up at the end of June.

Royle denied newspaper speculation linking the 36-year-old with a return to Sheffield Wednesday or a link-up with Nottingham Forest but says loan offers will be considered: "If something did come up then we would do what is right for Jim. If something appealed and he wanted to go out then we would not stand in his way.

"Equally, we are not pushing Jim out of this club in any shape. He is still our skipper and as we have seen at Crewe and Wolves in the past week, can still offer us a great deal."

Magilton may play for the reserves against Coventry City at Portman Road tonight (KO 7pm).

One man who won't be in Steve McCall's side is Jaime Peters. The Canadian youngster is out for two weeks after injuring his knee in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Wolves.

[squiz18]

i think thats fair enough. There was a point when i couldnt see us playing well without jim in the team but i think that has now passed and we wont miss him as much as we would of 18 months ago. Cheers Jim its been great.

[Rach]

"Equally, we are not pushing Jim out of this club in any shape. He is still our skipper and as we have seen at Crewe and Wolves in the past week, can still offer us a great deal."

Anyone else think this is a bit of a contradiction?! Surely if Jim can still offer us a great deal then we wouldnt be pushing him out on loan....

[twinpeakes]

close the door on the way out Jim