Blues boss Joe Royle has denied that there is any truth in the weekend tabloid rumours regarding Hermann Hreidarsson, Matt Holland, Aston Villa's Peter Crouch and Crewe's Rob Hulse.

Reports claimed that Holland was a target of Sunderland, Hreidarsson of Birmingham and Royle himself was looking to bring in either Crouch or Hulse.

However, the Town manager says that these stories are just the kind of speculation you'll get as the January transfer window gets nearer: "I asked about Peter a while ago but was told he was not available. I have not enquired about Rob Hulse.

"I spoke to Howard [Wilkinson] about Marcus Stewart a couple of weeks ago but he never mentioned Matt at all.

"As for Hermann, I'm very good friends with Steve Bruce but I have not spoken to him for a few weeks now, and as far as I know no approach has been made about him either.

"It is inevitable as the transfer window gets nearer that there will be speculation and I can't do anything about that."

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls