Doncaster boss Dean Saunders says he’s keen to keep striker Billy Sharp despite interest from Town, Southampton and a number of other clubs. The Welshman is aware of the speculation regarding the 25-year-old’s future but says he wants him fit, in his team and scoring goals.

Saunders says Sharp is not yet over the ankle ligament injury he sustained on the opening day of the season: “He is our player. He has had a bad injury and is coming back from that. He is still not right and he knows that himself.

“I’m hoping he starts banging in goals for us. He is a goalscorer and I’m sure there are lots of clubs out there who would like him, which I’ve read myself.

“Billy has not been a 100 per cent fit and I need him to get in our team and bang some goals in.”

Saunders says he’s not yet talked with any club about the former Sheffield United man: “I have not spoken to anybody about him but I can see the vultures are circling so we will see what happens.”

Sharp was left out of Doncaster’s weekend draw with Coventry for personal reasons which are also reported to have led to him missing training since last Wednesday [Doncaster have subsequently released a statement regarding the death of Sharp's new-born son].

In the summer Town had a £2.3 million offer for Sharp rebuffed by the South Yorkshire club, while Southampton agreed a £3.25 million fee but the player turned down a move to St Mary's.

Doncaster, who signed free agent El-Hadji Diouf yesterday, face the Blues at Portman Road on Saturday.

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

bobble added 09:13 - Nov 1 hes pretty blunt about keeping sharp
0

brogansnose added 09:26 - Nov 1 You may want to keep him, but if your chairman says he needs to raise 3.6m then its out of your hands. Highest bidder wins. If not its a lot of car boots at the Keepmoat.
0

irishtim added 09:34 - Nov 1 not sure if another injured player is what we need
0

radiogaga added 12:43 - Nov 1 “I can see the vultures are circling so we will see what happens.” Hmmm...
0

TractorRoyNo1 added 15:47 - Nov 1 Deano when you get the sack in the summer you should apply to be a salesman, it's always a good way to keep the price high to say 'i don't want to sell' - well done!
0

jas0999 added 18:38 - Nov 1 Good: PJ has unfortunately already signed a large number of injury-prone players - we don't really need any more.
0

Surco72 added 11:53 - Nov 3 Pj's injury prone players have already achieved more than Keanes flops did this stage 2009/2010 we were rock bottom and in 2010/2011 we were in the middle of our 9 defeats in 12 games run . Jewell is looking at all the right players for me and Sharp would be a great signing but believe after his loss his family will need to be settled in the north
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls