Town boss Joe Royle has confirmed that despite being offered a free transfer Martijn Reuser is in his plans for 2003/04. Reuser, one of the club's higher earners, was made available without a fee back in January but as yet there has been no interest.

Royle says of the Dutchman: "Martijn is a lovely man and I like him immensely. He did very well towards the end of the season and if continues where he left off then he is very much in contention.

"But the reality of the situation is if we get someone willing to come in and take on his contract he is a player we would let go.

"It is a different situation to a couple of the other free transfers who have no future at the club, if he stays then he has every chance of playing."

Nottingham Forest are claimed to be interested in the former Ajax player, although this story appears to have started as a spoof on the TWTD Message Board and Royle is denying any interest.

Reuser will be amongst the squad returning for pre-season training on Wednesday. Missing will be Dean Bowditch and Darren Bent who have been given longer breaks after international duty.

In addition to the young striker, Drissa Diallo is in Guinea getting married while Matt Bloomfield's injury picked up at the end of last season turned out to be a cruciate ligament problem and he is still sidelined.

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