IPSWICH Town summer target Richard Wood looks set to join League Two Notts County after being told he can go by Sheffield Wednesday.

Elvin King

IPSWICH Town summer target Richard Wood looks set to join League Two Notts County after being told he can go by Sheffield Wednesday.

Blues boss Roy Keane trailed the 24-year-old central defender up to the closure of the transfer window on September 1.

Owls boss Brian Laws hoped he could agree a new contract with Wood, but discussions broke down last week.

Keane did not rule out going back in for Wood when asked last Friday, but said he had not spoken to Laws for a while.

It is understood that ambitious Notts County, who have former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson as director of football, are now favourites to take the player initially on loan with a view to a permanent signing in January.

County are reported to have been in touch with Wednesday.

Coventry and Sheffield United have also been showing an interest in Wood.

There has been no progress on Senegalese international defender Ibrahima Faye joining Town after Keane said that he had been impressed by the 30-year-old defender in training and in last week's reserve game against Norwich City.

He hoped that a deal could be agreed this week, but negotiations are still in the early stages with the player and his representatives.

“He's not with any club, and he's a big strong boy,” said Keane.

Faye has previously played for SM Caen and Red Star 93 in France and Belgian side KAA Gent.

He has been capped three times by Senegal.