Town have denied that Portman Road is set to change name, although they have admitted it has been discussed and that it could change in the future. Yesterday it was reported that as part of a new sponsorhip deal Portman Road would be named after the sponsors. The report also said that Greene King had been priced out of the market.

Town Commercial Director Paul Clouting said: "We have no current plans to change the name of the ground. It has been discussed at board level and we would be prepared to discuss any name change if it was the right company at the right price. I want to do whatever is best for the club bearing in mind what our supporters think."

Town have spoken to a number of companies and one of those was presumably the source of the story that orignally appeared in Marketing Week. The companies mentioned as possible new sponsors were NTL, BT and National Power, although it appears Greene King are still in the running. Paul Clouting: "We have enjoyed a great relationship with Greene King but of course I have spoken with other companies. We are mindful of the relationship we have with Greene King and would not change for the sake of it. It is important to get this right for the club and we won't hurry to announce anything until the best possible deal is completed."

The idea of a name change proved unpopular with fans on the TWTD Message Board yesterday and is likely to find favour with very few supporters.

It does appear though, that if the price is right then Town will be prepared to go down this road, although it does appear that the deal currently being negotiated, with Greene King or whoever, doesn't involve the stadium changing name. With the contract likely to last for three years we suspect this story may reappear in 2004.

Marcus Stewart has said his target for the season is to win the Golden Boot. The Town striker sits two goals ahead of Thierry Henry and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink at the top of the Premiership scoring charts after Monday's hat-trick at Southampton.

Stewart was talking in his Sky interview with Jimmy Hill and said: "As I got the first goal, I knew that I was up there again with Thierry Henry and Hasselbaink on level terms. When my third went in I knew I was two in front of them. On a personal level, that's all that matters to me at the moment. My personal goal is to get the Golden Boot. Football wise, I want to play for England. Definitely. Although when I'm scoring for Ipswich, England doesn't cross my mind at all, I look at it as being a bonus if it happens."

Sky sources suggested yesterday that Sven-Goran Eriksson had hinted that he might involved Stewart in an England squad sooner rather than later. Stewart said that although there were a lot of younger players ahead of him he would be there to take their places should the likes of Michael Owen get injured.

Town's youngsters take on Arsenal in the FA Youth Cup semi-final first leg today (Highbury KO 7pm). The youngsters have had an impressive run so far beating Leicester, Crystal Palace, Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest. Arsenal will prove their sternest test so far.

The Arsenal side is a mulitnational mix of players with probably the best known being Jermaine Pennant. Pennant is a star of the England U18s and played well for the Arsenal reserves against Town earlier in the season. Another player likely to be involved tonight, Martin Volz, faced Town at senior level in the Worthington Cup game that Town won 2-1.

Town are at full strength and will look to bring a good result back to Portman Road for the second leg on Wednesday May 9th (KO 7pm).

Town fans attendind tonight's game have been invited for a pre-match pint or two by the Town supporting landlord of The Gunners pub. You can find the location of this here: : http://www.thegunnerspub.co.uk

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