Town chief executive Derek Bowden has told manager Joe Royle that unless the club receive an offer they can't refuse his squad will remain intact for the rest of the season. Bowden has also reaffirmed that the Blues have the cash in place to bring in at least one loanee.

Bowden said: "The facts are that we now don't need to sell. Naturally, every player has a price, but the manager has the knowledge that he can have his current squad at his disposal until next May.

"Joe Royle has the go-ahead to bring in one loan signing - or two depending on costs - and is targeting certain players.

"The frustrating thing is that in August there were players who were available and we could not act. Now we can, and these players are now unavailable."

With Darren Bent fit again, Royle is likely to turn his attentions away from adding to his strikers. A wide man in the mould of last season's loanee Alan Mahon is likely to be one target, while the defence is the other area in need of cover.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls