Boss Jim Magilton has confirmed rumours of a secret meeting between himself and selected members of his squad prior to the dismal derby defeat at Norwich City. Claims of the meeting were circulating amongst fans at the Norwich match and have appeared on the TWTD Message Board on a number of occasions.

Magilton said: "I did speak to some of my players in a meeting a few days before the Norwich game but it was nothing unusual.

"I'm not going into detail about what was said other than we discussed the ambitions and aims of this football club, just as I have done with other players before and since, both in groups and as individuals.

"There's no more to it than that and holding meetings with players, whether it be one player, five players or 25 players, is something I will continue to do in the future as well.”

Skipper Gareth McAuley, Richard Wright, David Wright, David Norris, Veliche Shumulikoski, Owen Garvan, Jon Walters and Shane Supple are understood to have been those at the meeting, where they were apparently told they were the players on which the team would be built in the future. None of the 14 out of contract players are understood to have been asked to attend.

A source within the squad who wasn't invited to the meeting is reported to have said a number of the invited players were "uncomfortable” about the meeting taking place.

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