x

Webster Ignoring Transfer Talk - Ipswich Town News

Town defender Adam Webster is doing his best to ignore transfer speculation linking him with a move to the Premier League.

National newspapers have reported that both Sunderland and Everton have been monitoring Webster this season with a view to launching multi-million pound bids to secure his services in the January transfer window.

But Webster, who only joined Town from Portsmouth in a £700,000 move last summer which also saw Blues youngster Matt Clarke move in the opposite direction, said: "I don’t really take much notice of any of that stuff. I just want to focus on my football and let that do the talking.

"I see myself here long term. My loyalties lie with Ipswich, I’m an Ipswich player and I’m not focused on any other speculation. There’s always going to be speculation with players playing week in, week out.

"But it’s just the media. Every player gets speculation, no matter who they are, so you can’t look into that. You’ve just got to keep your head down and play your football.”

However, interest from the top flight would be no surprise to Town boss Mick McCarthy, who has already labelled his 22-year-old as a future Premier League player.

But Webster added: "I’m still proving that I can play at this level before even thinking about moving anywhere else. I’m not thinking about anything like that, just focusing on my football.”

Pompey will be keeping a keen eye on their former player's situation with the League Two club due 20 per cent of the profit if and when he moves on.

Meanwhile, Webster is hoping he will line up against non-league Lincoln in tomorrow’s FA Cup third round clash at Portman Road.

McCarthy has often been known to rest regular first-teamers for cup-ties but Webster said: "I want to play as much as I can. Obviously, it will be a difficult game against Lincoln. They are doing very well in their league and they will feel they have nothing to lose, so it will be a tough one. But I definitely want to play in the game — and I want to play as much as possible.

"I played at the same stage of the competition last season when I was at Portsmouth and we came out of the hat with Ipswich. We saw it as a good chance as lower-league players to show what we could do against a higher standard of opposition.

"No doubt the Lincoln players will be feeling the same way. They will be up for it and it will be like a cup final for them.”
Webster recalled how Pompey secured a draw at Portman Road 12 months ago and then won the replay at Fratton Park to earn a fourth round home clash with Premier League opposition in Bournemouth.

Ex-Town winger Gary Roberts gave the League Two club the lead just before half-time but the Cherries hit back to win 2-1 and Webster added: "I don’t think the gaffer was too worried if we won or lost. It would have been nice to have won and get another big club but he didn’t mind us losing at that stage because of the backlog of games.

"That’s probably why the build-up to the game here last year was so relaxed and I can see it being the same for Lincoln.”

What to read next:

McKenna: New Coach Stanislas Comes Highly Recommended
Town manager Kieran McKenna has spoken about the additions of new first-team coach Junior Stanislas and set-piece analyst Michele Aragona.
McKenna: Young Will Bring Experience, Competitiveness and Edge
Blues boss Kieran McKenna says new signing Ashley Young can give the club different things in different areas, among them his experience, competitiveness and his edge.
Hirst: I Thought We Played Really Well, But Aberdeen Gave Us a Massive Challenge
Town striker George Hirst was pleased to add to his pre-season goals tally during the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
McKenna: Philogene Very Good Tonight, His Off the Ball Work Was Outstanding
Town manager Kieran McKenna was delighted with Jaden Philogene’s performance in the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
McKenna: We Got What We Wanted From the Game
Town boss Kieran McKenna said he got what he wanted from the 3-1 friendly win at Aberdeen and believes his side is in general on the right track.
McKenna: Nothing in the Air Regarding Omari's Situation
Town boss Kieran McKenna says there’s “nothing in the air” regarding Omari Hutchinson’s future with the forward having remained behind in Suffolk to train while the Blues were in Aberdeen for this evening’s 3-1 friendly victory.
Aberdeen 1-3 Ipswich Town - Match Report
Jaden Philogene scored twice and George Hirst once as Town beat Aberdeen 3-1 in their friendly at Pittodrie. Philogene stroked home from close range after good work from Sammie Szmodics and Hirst on 28, then Hirst added a second with a predatory rebound 10 minutes later, before Philogene netted the third just before the hour with Aberdeen pulling one back in the 79th minute remaining and the Blues having replaced their entire starting XI.
Aberdeen 0-2 Ipswich Town - Half-Time
Goals from Jaden Philogene and George Hirst have given the Blues a 2-0 half-time lead in this evening’s friendly against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
Strong Blues Team Starts at Aberdeen
Town have named a strong line-up for this evening’s friendly against Aberdeen at Pittodrie (KO 7.30pm, live on TownTV).
Luongo Completes Millwall Move
Millwall have confirmed the signing of former Blues midfielder Massimo Luongo on a one-year deal.