Plymouth boss Ian Holloway has slammed Town for trying to unsettle Argyle midfielder David Norris. Yesterday, Magilton confirmed widespread rumours which claimed the 26-year-old was the ball-winning midfielder the Blues had targeted earlier in the summer.

Town chairman David Sheepshanks apparently asked his opposite number Paul Stapleton about Norris's availability at the Football League's AGM in Portugal last month.

Holloway, currently in Austria with his squad, says the Blues shouldn't have made their enquiry public: "Until an offer has been made and accepted, and a medical has been done, you shouldn't talk about other people's players.

"With the greatest respect to anybody at Ipswich, if they are doing that they are bang out of order.

"If they admire some of my players that's great, but they shouldn't talk about it in the papers.

There is a feeling at Home Park that the Blues are using the media to try to unsettle the former Bolton Wanderers midfielder.

Holloway says he is not surprised there is interest in the Peterborough-born player, but expected it from higher up the league: "David Norris signed a new [three-year] contract last year and he was very happy with it.

"With the greatest respect to Ipswich, I'm sure there are a lot more people interested in David Norris who are better placed than them.

"My answer to Ipswich is that I should be trying to buy their best player because we finished above them last season. So I strongly consider they should keep their nose out of our business and conduct what they want to do in a more professional manner.

“I find it hard to believe that we haven't had cash offers for any of our players - we haven't.

"Ipswich have rung up and we have said the player isn't for sale and he's not running out of contract. They shouldn't be telling anybody about it.

"I have told Chuck 'I want to get you in the Premiership, son,' and he knows it's genuine.

"I would be chuffed to beans if someone rang up about him from the Premiership because I believe he deserves to play there, but I believe he can get there with us.

"I have moved him up to where I think is fair. I don't think too many people will pay him a lot more than he's on with us.

"I haven't got too much of a problem with that, and I'm sure he hasn't at the minute. He's progressing and his football is getting better.

"But what's horrible about this game is that certain things can get in your head and it stops you performing."

If Argyle's claims that Town are using the media to unsettle Norris are true, then it's likely the Blues will make further moves towards signing the ex-Boston United player before the transfer window closes at the end of August.

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