IS it possible to breathe a sigh of relief while also having bated breath?

If so, I'm guessing that describes the physical reaction among most Ipswich Town fans following the news Bartosz Bialkowski is no longer bound for Millwall.

His proposed move has hit the rocks due to a complication relating to the Pole's medical.

He travelled to South London to talk terms on Thursday, with the clubs having agreed a fee in the region of £1 million.

However, the Lions then tried to renegotiate the terms because of a concern arising from his medical.

Ipswich, convinced the matter is of no significant risk, are unwilling to talk again and have now pulled the plug on the move.

Town boss Paul Lambert says there's a "huge chance" the 31-year-old will still be at the club for the start of the new League One season.

Hopefully he's right, although a degree of caution must be exercised.

Let's face it, there has long been a sad predictability about Bialkowski's exit.

It's been on the cards for months - long before the end of last season.

With his team's survival hopes rapidly diminishing, the Pole, his club's highest-paid and most coveted, sellable asset, was the one player likely to move on. Too good for League One.

Heading into last weekend, it appeared the inevitable had become a reality but now, it would seem, everything has changed.

Fingers crossed that's the case and what a boost it would be ahead of a possible and, dare I say it, anticipated promotion push.

It's always deflating when a popular, pivotal player opts for pastures new.

Bialkowski certainly falls into that category and the fact he's a multiple player-of-the-year winner reflects his immeasurable contribution down the years.

Goodness knows how many jaw-dropping saves he's made, not to mention match-winning performances pulled out the bag.

Town's points tallies in the last five years would have been strikingly less without his heroics between the posts.

The fact he was so distinctly below-par last season (by his very high standards) accounts for some, but certainly not all, of the reason Ipswich limped and languished at the foot of the Championship table.

A hero of Town's recent history, Bialkowski won the club's player-of-the-year gong in three successive seasons and, without doubt, would have left with the thanks, respect and admiration of all supporters.

Things may change again, of course. Hence the bated breath.

However, Bialkowski potentially staying would be a huge boost and provide fierce competition between the posts, with fans already having a new keeper to pin their hopes on in the shape of towering former Gillingham man Tomas Holy (plus up-and-coming back-up Adam Przybek).

It's a mouth-watering prospect and one few could have anticipated.

Hopefully this is the end of the matter, rather than the irritant of a 'will he stay, will he go' scenario bubbling away and becoming a distraction during pre-season.

Maybe, just maybe, all good things don't have to come to an end.