Ipswich Town

Ipswich Town
No pressure to sell says Bowden Chief executive Derek Bowden insists that Ipswich are not under pressure to sell players - despite missing out on promotion to the Premiership. "We'll have a look at the squad in the cold light of day - (manager) Joe Royle and his team have already started to do that," Bowden told the club website. "But we have never planned to have the Premiership income. "It would be great to have that money and use it wisely, but we've always worked on a Championship budget."

Ipswich quartet offered new deals
Ipswich have offered new deals to Jim Magilton, Fabian Wilnis, Tommy Miller and Shefki Kuqi. Veteran midfielder Magilton, 36, has been offered a year's contract, as has defender Wilnis, 34. And midfielder Miller, 26, and Finnish striker Kuqi, 28, are both mulling over two-year contracts. But defender Drissa Diallo, who joined on a free transfer from Burnley, has been released following the club's play-off defeat against West Ham. Town boss Joe Royle said: "Jim has been a magnificent servant to both me and the club and he will be our captain again next season. He has been a terrific skipper. "In Fabian's case it will probably be his last contract at the club. Players know they can't affect the sands of time. "They are now all going away to think about the offers we have made but I have asked for an answer as soon as possible. Hopefully we will know where we stand in a couple of weeks."

Royle says Sunderland want Davis
Ipswich boss Joe Royle has confirmed that promoted Sunderland are interested in signing goalkeeper Kelvin Davis. The 28-year-old former England Under-21 international was voted player of the year by his Ipswich team mates after a string of fine performances. "We've had an enquiry about Kelvin and I can confirm that there is a serious interest from Sunderland," Royle told the club's official website. Davis has made 93 appearances for Ipswich since signing in July 2003.

Ipswich release striker Counago
Ipswich Town have revealed they will not offer striker Pablo Counago a new contract when his current deal expires. The 25-year-old has been out-of-favour at Portman Road this season under manager Joe Royle, mostly being used as a second-half substitute. He joined from Spanish side Celta Vigo on a free four years ago and went on to score 36 goals in 121 appearances. Defender Drissa Diallo is also out of contract in June and will not be offered a new deal by Royle.

Miller keen on Sunderland switch
Ipswich midfielder Tommy Miller says he is keen for a move to Premiership newcomers Sunderland. The 26-year-old, who is out of contract this summer, says the Black Cats have had talks with his father Tommy, who acts as his agent. "A move to Sunderland appeals to me," the midfielder told the Journal. "Sunderland are in the Premiership and there is the challenge of playing on that stage, and it would mean a move back to the north, where I come from." The former Hartlepool player has been offered a new deal by Ipswich and Miller Snr held talks with Leeds on Tuesday. But Miller appears keen on a move to Sunderland, the club he supported as a boy. He added: "My father represents me. He has been in the game for a long time and he has had talks with Sunderland. "At this stage of my career, it is a big, big decision. I have got a lot of thinking to do and I will bide my time before making a decision because this is such a key time in my career. "I will not rush into it. I am contracted to Ipswich until the end of June, so technically I cannot move to another club before then anyway. "I am getting married at the weekend and then I am away on honeymoon for a few weeks, so I will decide either when I get back or while I am away. It certainly will not be before I go." Miller joined Town from Hartlepool in an £800,000 move in the summer of 2001. The Wearsiders are understood to be close to agreeing a deal to take Ipswich keeper Kelvin Davis to the Stadium of Light, and have been given permission to talk to Blackburn striker Jon Stead.

Charlton swoop for Bent signature
Charlton Athletic have swooped to sign Ipswich Town striker Darren Bent in a deal which could be worth £3m. The England Under-21 international, 21, has signed a four-year contract at The Valley after refusing to sign a new deal with the Tractor Boys. "As soon as I met boss Alan Curbishley and chairman Richard Murray I had no doubt whatsoever that this was the club I wanted to join," admitted Bent. "I have been impressed by their plans for the club on and off the field." He added: "I am convinced Charlton can go from strength to strength and I very much want to be part of that." Murray revealed Bent had been high up on Curbishley's list of targets as the Addicks seek to strengthen their squad. "Darren is a player we have been seeking to sign for the last two years," said Murray. "He is exceptionally quick and a young player from whom we think the best is yet to come. We are delighted he has agreed to join us. "This is the first of a number of quality signings we will make over the course of the next few weeks." Ipswich chairman David Sheepshanks said the Portman Raod outfit could not afford to reject the bid. "With just one year left on his contract, negotiations are tougher," said Sheepshanks. "However, after carefully considering the offer, I, along with the manager and the board, are satisfied that while I think Charlton are getting a fine young player, we are getting full value in today's transfer market. "I'd like to thank Darren for what he has achieved and wish him success with Charlton and hopefully England too." Bent made 142 appearances for Ipswich, scoring 55 goals in the process.

Bowden to release money for Royle
Ipswich chief executive Derek Bowden has told Joe Royle he will have money to spend if goalkeeper Kelvin Davies completes his move to Sunderland. Town have accepted an offer from the Black Cats and the former England U-21 international is discussing terms. Bowden told Town's website: "Even with Darren Bent leaving, we've little room to move until we know where we stand with the four out of contract players. "But if Kelvin agrees personal terms, there will be money available." Jim Magilton, Fabian Wilnis, Tommy Miller and Shefki Kuqi have all been offered new contracts as their deals run out at the end of this month. But Pablo Counago and Drissa Diallo have released.

Sheepshanks defends sale of Bent
Ipswich chairman David Sheepshanks has defended the sale of striker Darren Bent to Charlton, insisting it was the right thing to do. "It hurts like hell to let him go," Sheepshanks told the club's website. "But to let Darren go out of contract and risk some paltry sum from a tribunal because he is under 23 would not have been right. "People are talking about a Premiership player like Jon Stead costing £1.5m and we are getting £2.5m for Darren. He added: "I think it is very good business and very good value. "It is the responsibility of the board to get the best value for Darren and I think they have done that."

Wilnis close to signing new deal
Ipswich defender Fabian Wilnis is close to agreeing a new contract to keep him at Portman Road. Wilnis, 34, is confident he will put pen to paper on the one-year deal offered by manager Joe Royle. The Dutchman told the Evening Star: "I would like to stay with Ipswich and there are one or two details to sort out but I don't see any major problems. "I had a chat with the manager last week and my agent will be handling matters while I'm away."

Davis ponders move to Sunderland
Ipswich keeper Kelvin Davis is considering a move to Championship winners Sunderland. Town boss Joe Royle has admitted the Black Cats have shown interest, while Davis has held talks with Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy. Davis told the Sunderland Echo: "I have met with Mick but it isn't clear cut and I haven't signed anything as yet." The 28-year-old former England Under-21 international was voted player of the year by his Ipswich team-mates.

Miller unlikely to move to Celtic
Celtic have had a second bid for striker Derek Riordan rejected by Hibernian and look likely to miss out on Ipswich midfielder Tommy Miller. BBC Sport understands that Sunderland remain 26-year-old Miller's first choice, but he will not make a choice until the end of the month. The Scotsman, who began his career at Hartlepool, is keen on playing in the English Premiership. Celtic increased their £300,000 bid for Riordan, but Hibs want £500,000. The Edinburgh club have made it known the 22-year-old is for sale after talks on a contract extension broke down. But Hibs manager Tony Mowbray has insisted that Riordan will remain at Easter Road until a club meets his club's valuation. "There has been interest, as you would expect for a young boy who has scored great goals over two seasons, he's proved he isn't a one-season wonder," he said. "We have to balance Derek's worth against him continuing to score goals for us and, hopefully, securing another great finish next season." Riordan, who still has 18 months left on his current contract, scored 23 goals this season and is in the Scotland squad, attracting the interest of new Celtic manager Gordon Strachan. Mowbray does not want to risk losing Riordan for nothing in December 2006. Hibs are certain to lose captain Ian Murray this summer when his contract runs out, with the versatile midfielder expected to join Rangers. "We don't want to get into the same situation as we have with Ian," added the manager. "Rod Petrie (Hibernian chairman) tells me he has been talking to Derek and his agent for the last 18 months and we have certainly been talking since I arrived at the club. "We try to be fair. I am a believer in having a wage structure and, if your talent warrants it, then you get top dollar. "But if you start stretching that structure then every agent is telling you his player is the best and, before you know it, you are spending far too much money. "We have reached our financial ceiling with Derek. He was made an offer which would have made him one of the top two or three earners at the club. "I've told him we'd love the situation to be resolved with him staying here, where we believe he can continue his football education." No move will happen at least until Mowbray returns from holiday.

Barron requires further surgery
Ipswich Town defender Scott Barron will have a second operation on his troublesome groin. Barron, 19, had surgery in December last year and was out for most of the previous campaign after suffering a reaction to the injury. Physio Dave Williams told the club website: "He will have surgery in the middle of the month "Hopeful he will be back in some form of training in July but he will be behind the other players."

Four offers for Ipswich's Miller
Ipswich midfielder Tommy Miller remains undecided over his next move with four clubs competing for his signature. The 26-year-old, who is out of contract this summer, has been offered a new deal by Ipswich but is also wanted by Sunderland, Leeds and Crystal Palace. "Tommy has not ruled out signing a new deal with Ipswich - that is still a very strong option," Miller's father Tommy Miller told BBC Sport. "He's torn been staying at Ipswich and getting a fresh start." At the weekend Miller married his long-time girlfriend and will make his final decision after returning from his honeymoon on 21 June. "The Ipswich chairman David Sheepshanks called him before the wedding to wish him all the best," added the midfielder's father. "While he is away he is going to think what is best to do. "There have been lots of reports linking him with Celtic, but I've heard absolutely nothing on that front." Miller joined Town from Hartlepool in an £800,000 move in the summer of 2001.

Davis upbeat over Sunderland deal
Ipswich goalkeeper Kelvin Davis says talks with Sunderland about a move to the Stadium of Light are going well. Town have accepted a seven-figure offer from the Black Cats for the 28-year-old former England Under-21 shot-stopper. "Negotiations are ongoing. It's moving forward but these things take time," he told Ipswich's official website. "I've certainly never said anything about not wanting to move to the north east, which has been mentioned in some areas. Things are looking positive."

Sheepshanks eyes play-off change
Ipswich Town chairman David Sheepshanks would like to see a change to the end of season play-offs to give the third placed team a place in the final. "I could be accused of whingeing but I will try and curry favour on some form of reward for the third-placed team," he told the club's website. "I think there is a strong argument for a team that sees the third placed team going straight into the final. "Then the fourth, fifth and sixth teams would play to get a final spot."

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