Holland weighs up Ipswich move

Ipswich captain Matt Holland returns from international duty today to weigh up a move back to the Premiership.

His club, relegated from the top flight last season, and Aston Villa have agreed a fee - believed to be £4.5m, or €7m - for the Republic of Ireland midfielder who played just three minutes of last night’s match against Finland.

The sale is a reluctant one by the Portman Road club, who are having to balance their books in the wake of relegation from the Premiership last season.

Holland appreciates the situation but he too appears reticent to leave the club he has been with for five years.

"I got a call from (manager) George Burley this morning saying that the fee had been accepted," said Holland immediately after the Republic’s 3-0 victory.

"I understand the reason why so I now have a decision to make.

"I will go home and talk it through with my family and decide what is best. But I do understand the situation."

Ipswich chairman David Sheepshanks has blamed the economic disaster which accompanied the club’s relegation for the club’s selling policy.

"As agonising and painful as this decision has been for the directors, George Burley and myself, this sale was a necessity and it helps to stabilise our financial position," said Sheepshanks.

"I know all supporters will share our dismay at having to part with such a special player. However, I warned in the middle of last season and on many occasions since of the serious consequences of relegation for our club.

Ipswich manager Burley accepted the inevitable, saying: "The reality of the situation is that we have to listen to offers.

"I would love to keep all my players but in the present financial climate that is not possible."

Meanwhile Aston Villa striker Bosko Balaban has completed his season-long loan move back to former club Dynamo Zagreb.

The 23-year-old - a capture by former manager John Gregory - has started just two games for Villa since being signed on August 26 last year.