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No Clear-Out - Joe
No Clear-Out - Joe
Thursday, 24th Apr 2003 10:56

Town boss Joe Royle has told fans not to expect a mass exodus from Portman Road this summer. With the club still needing to reduce the wage bill, there were fears amongst supporters that a number of players would leave in the close season if the Blues remain in Division One.

Royle says he does expect a couple of players to go but no more than that: "You are not going to see a summer where the team is totally broken up. That is a promise.

"There is not going to be a wholesale sell out. One or two will have to be sold but it is one or two going rather than us being left with one or two. Even with the three players that were sold, we have carried on. We have maintained a standard of performance and a threat."

In the CVA proposal document Deloitte and Touche reveal that Town's wage bill was £1.2 million a month when they went into administration in February. Since then Hermann Hreidarsson, thought to be one of the club's highest earners on £17,000-a-week, has left as has Darren Ambrose, although he was paid a far lower amount than the Icelander.

Town chairman David Sheepshanks says that he ultimately plans to get the wage bill down to £5 million if possible and it seems likely that Town will look to off-loan two high earners who will bring in fees over the summer.

Matt Holland has been the subject of speculation recently with Charlton mentioned as a club targeting him. The Town skipper, who turned down a move to Aston Villa last summer, is now 29 and, with one less year on his Town deal, may accept what might be his last chance to join a Premiership club at the end of the season.

Marcus Bent, another high earner, is also a player who has been mentioned in connection with a number of Premiership clubs over the course of the season. The much-travelled striker is still only 24 and has been in good form lately after a season that had previously been affected by injury.

It looks likely that as soon as finance is available Town will try to settle Finidi George's contract. The Nigerian has been available on a free transfer for some while but there has been little interest. His £20,000-a-week wage is one the club would certainly prefer not to have to pay for the next two years.

Pablo Counago's impressive form of late may have alerted one or two Spanish clubs while Thomas Gaadrsøe's excellent season could also have been noted by scouts.

The club will also hope to pick up fees from loanees Matteo Sereni and Ulrich Le Pen. Sereni earns £22,000-a-week but currently his wages are being paid in full by Brescia. Le Pen is on a far lesser amount, although cash-strapped Strasbourg still require Town to pay a small percentage of his pay.

Brescia and Strasbourg may themselves be unable to raise the cash to make the deals permanent, however Sereni at least has had an impressive season and could well be targeted by several Italian and Spanish clubs.

Joe Royle has already said he will offer new deals to the out of contract Fabian Wilnis, Richard Naylor and Jim Magilton while he is still deciding whether Mark Venus will have another year at the club. The veteran has rarely been fit this season and looks likely to leave Portman Road and was recently seen watching Colchester United at Layer Road.

The player Town most want to hold on to is striker Darren Bent. The youngster is thought to be a player who could be worth a fee far greater than than the one he could command now if the club held on to him for a couple of years.

Joe Royle has already said that he has drawn up lists of players he plans to sign, one if Town go up, one if we remain in Division One. He will look at free transfers and loan deals next season in addition to promoting the likes of Antonio Murray and Aidan Collins into the first team squad.


Photo: Action Images



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