Dropped Town keeper Andy Marshall says he is to seek talks with manager Joe Royle about his future at Portman Road. Marshall wasn't even on the bench yesterday as the Blues ran out 2-0 winners at Watford.

A clearly cross Marshall said Royle's move for Gerrard came as a shock: "I'm not going to accept this lying down. I was very surprised when Joe told me that he was bringing Paul in and I was very disappointed not to be playing against Watford.

"It is the manager's choice to bring someone else in and that is his prerogative but I'm not happy about it and I will now have to look at it and see what my long-term future is at the club.

"I will see what happens and talk to the manager and see how I fit into his plans."

Marshall knows Gerrard well and even called him to wish him all the best for his Town debut, a game where the new keeper had little to do and kept clean sheet.

The former Norwich keeper is set to be included in the squad for next Saturday's match with Coventry City while James Pullen will play in Tuesday's reserve game at Nottingham Forest (KO 7pm).

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls