Royle visit (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Royle visit

SAM PARKIN was meeting Ipswich Town boss Joe Royle for talks today with the striker anxious to be part of a Championship set-up geared for the top flight.

Both Royle, and Norwich City manager Nigel Worthington, have both now made their interest public in the 24-year-old, although the Evening Advertiser understands the Canaries will almost certainly miss out on Parkin unless they improve their initial undisclosed bid.

It appears Norwich's offer has not been viewed favourably by the Town board.

Parkin said: "As far as I know I am speaking to Ipswich Town today.

"I am obviously keen to hear what the interested parties have to say. I'm sure the clubs who have made offers will have questions of me as well.

"I do have ambitions in the game and I want to go to a club that is going to challenge in the Championship. I want to be part of a progressive club, a club on the up.

"You want to look at the set-up and find out what other players the manager is trying to bring in. There is a lot of thinking to do."

As for Ipswich, Royle admits he views Parkin as the ideal replacement for top scorer Shefki Kuqi, who rejected a new two-year deal last week and is now discussing a move to Blackburn.

Royle said: "I won't deny we are interested in Sam he was top of our list if Shefki went.

"But our interest is still very much at an early stage and beyond that I don't want to say too much.

"The chairman is talking to Swindon and it is an ongoing situation, but by the end of the week I hope to have a much clearer idea of our strikeforce for next season."

Royle was interrupting his holiday in Majorca to meet Parkin and he was also expected to attend a 5pm press conference to announce the capture of striker Nicky Forster.

He will obviously be hoping he is in position to announce a double transfer success although that is far from guaranteed.

As for Norwich, manager Nigel Worthington said: "Yes, we have got an interest in the situation and, yes, we are monitoring its progress."

His interest will go no further though without extra backing from the Carrow Road board.

Town chief executive Sandy Gray said: "I can confirm that Sam has now been given permission to speak to Ipswich.

"We have received several bids for Sam and providing these offers meet our expectations, we will not stand in his way.

"Sam has been a tremendous servant to this football club but he declined the chance to extend his contract so the key thing now is to make sure we get the best deal for Swindon Town.

"Until Sam has spoken to Ipswich then it's difficult to really say anything further."

At this stage Norwich have not been allowed to speak to Parkin.

TOWN will hold a meeting with developers St Modwen next week to discuss progress surrounding the club's stadium plans.

Town had a well documented 'lovers' tiff' with St Modwen after the company's initial ideas did not find favour.

Chief executive Sandy Gray said: "They will come back to us with some more ideas."

Town are hoping for planning approval by Christmas.