Ipswich Town are ready for the new season - whether or not boss George Burley succeeds with a last-minute signing.

That was the message from Portman Road today as the squad prepares for Saturday's game against Nottingham Forest.

The Blues boss has tabled a bid for a mystery player and is hoping to tie up a deal before the weekend.

But Burley insisted - whether or not he makes a signing - the team which takes the field will be good enough to beat Forest.

He said: "It's a big game and a solid test for the team. I have every faith in the squad of players at my disposal and I'm sure we can go out and take three points.

"One or two players left the club in the summer but I can assure supporters we are working very hard behind the scenes to bring in quality players."

Midfielder Jim Magilton has still not given up hope of playing in Saturday's opener. The Northern Ireland international has been struggling with a blood clot in his thigh but hopes to be fit in time.

He said: "I still haven't given up hope. The clot has gone but I'm 50-50 at the moment."

Ipswich have appointed former player Romeo Zondervan as head of international scouting.

Zondervan, who signed a three-year contract, played for the Blues between 1984 and 1992.

The Nationwide League has scrapped the away goals rule in this season's play-offs.

Instead, teams who are level on aggregate at the end of extra time will go to penalties. The old rule cost Ipswich a place in the play-off final in two of the last three seasons.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.