Ipswich Town are being forced to rebuff bids for playmaker Alan Judge, with solid interest from the Championship this weekend.

We turn to FLW’s Gary Hutchinson to get the very latest opinion on the 30-year old’s situation and how it's likely to develop over the coming days.

Who is Alan Judge?

“For those who don’t know, Judge is a 30-year-old midfielder, capped by the Republic of Ireland six times.

“He’s a former Brentford and Blackburn man who made his name at Griffin Park under the watchful eye of Mark Warburton – that’ll become important shortly.

He signed a new deal with the Tractor Boys on April 5th, that coming just four months after he joined their ultimately fruitless battle against the drop.”

How did he do last season?

“He certainly added some experience to the Ipswich side and he impressed enough to earn an Eire call-up at the end of the season.

“He couldn’t keep them in the Championship, but he also played plenty of football for the Bees before the move, so he’s an established Championship player.

“The impact he did have convinced Paul Lambert to tie him down to a fresh deal and that speaks volumes not only about his contribution on the field but perhaps even his influence off it.

Why is he so important to Ipswich?

“Experienced has to be the main reason he’s important. Relegation will hit the Tractor Boys hard and League One is a tough division. Judge has been around enough to understand what is needed in terms of application.

“They also have a relatively inexperienced squad. The likes of Danny Rowe, Kayden Jackson, Jordan Roberts and Jon Nolan struggled in the Championship and maybe need that calming influence around them.

“Having played international football as well as extensively in the Championship, Judge will be a senior figure.

“He’s also a good player, creative and driven. He’ll add value to their squad in many different ways.”

Who is interested in him?

“It’s Queens Park Rangers who have come in with a bid. It’s not surprising, remember I said he’d played under Mark Warburton? Well, he’s back in management and looking to bring in some of his former generals.

“He’s already lured Yoann Barbet from Griffin Park and he’s gone to Rangers for full-back Lee Wallace. Warburton is clearly looking to work with players he can trust, Judge being one of them.”

Is he likely to make the move?

“The initial bid seems a little low. It’s been reported as around £250,000 which seems derisory.

“Judge might be a League One player, but with his experience and ability, he should be commanding a figure in excess of that. Ipswich don’t have a lot of money to spend though, Paul Lambert has already outlined that, so he could be looking to boost his coffers.

“I think if QPR were to come back with something like £400,000, they would find it very hard indeed to say no. The right bid is sure to tempt them to sell.

"As for Judge, Championship football would surely be a driver in any move.”

How much of a blow would it be for Ipswich?

“I’ve said he’s a key player and I stand by that, but at the same time I don’t think it would be highly damaging.

“If a club looks closely there are lots of experienced players around. Craig Conway for instance, he’s just left Blackburn and would be a similar influence, albeit in a different position.

“The money will help the Tractor Boys push on, so I don’t think they’re going to fight too hard when the right bid comes in.”