Town boss Joe Royle has welcomed the January transfer window's closure and says he is not a fan of the current player trading arrangements. Football League clubs will also have to adhere to the window from next season.

Royle told the club site that he hopes the Blues won't be in the Football League by then: "I've been informed of that change. Let's hope we are looking down on it rather than at it, with regards to the Championship.

"I don't see how the transfer window in general helps anyone but the biggest clubs with the biggest squads.

"There shouldn't be a restriction of transfer dealings to certain times, it's almost restraint of trade, but the simple facts are that it's here and we have to deal with it."

The only activity at Portman Road during January saw Jimmy Juan and David Unsworth join on loan, and Antonio Murray and Chris Hogg make permanent moves to former coach Tony Mowbray's Hibernian.

Town were hopeful of keeping the squad intact and Royle is pleased that it has come through January unscathed: "We told our fans that the window wasn't open at Portman Road and we have been as good as our word."

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls