Reports claim former Town boss George Burley is set to be named as permanent manager at Derby County. John Gregory's appeal against his sacking will be heard today and if he loses then Burley's appointment will be confirmed.

The ex-Town full-back says he is keen to return to the rigours of management: "Nothing has changed from the day I took over as interim manager, I want a permanent return to football and, if the job at Derby became available, I would consider it. I want to get my teeth into a new challenge.

"It's a massive job to turn things around. I know the First Division really well and it will be no easier to get out of it next season than it has been in the past."

Meanwhile, a Town spokesman has suggested that yesterday's reports linking Reading's Anthony Rougier were purely speculation.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls