Chairman David Sheepshanks says he has no intention of selling any of the club's young players over the summer. Sheepshanks was speaking after Charlton boss Alan Curbishley, a big fan of Town's youth set-up, was spotted watching the Blues playing Hull on Saturday.

Sheepshanks said: “I hope Mr Curbishley was watching Hull City players because I have no intention of entering into dialogue with him or anyone else about any of our young players.”

Town's financial position has significantly improved in recent months with a renegotiation of the club's debts to their three major lenders (Norwich Union, Barclays and the Bank of Scotland) having been agreed.

The club have also held a series of meetings with shareholders to discuss the possibility of a further share issue, a move first mentioned at last December's AGM. Early reports suggest that season ticket sales are holding up well despite the Blues' mid-table showing this season.

Town have recently signed all their young prospects on longer contracts, with Dean McDonald the only youngster not yet secured for two or three further years.

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