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Colchester Turn Down Town Bid for Winger Dickenson - Ipswich Town News

TWTD understands that Colchester United have turned down a Town offer for left winger Ben Dickenson.

The 23-year-old has impressed since joining the U’s from Gillingham in the summer and was nominated for the EFL League Two Player of the Month award in August.

A hamstring injury suffered in September sidelined him for six weeks but he returned to action as the U’s - who are currently seventh in League Two - went on a run of nine games without a defeat.

Dickenson, born Brennan but often known as Ben, was with the youth set-ups at Southampton, Poole Town and Christchurch but made his breakthrough into senior football with non-league Dorchester Town.

The busy Ferndown-born winger’s performances for the Magpies caught the eye of Brighton, who signed him for an undisclosed fee in January 2012.

Spells on loan at Chesterfield, AFC Wimbledon and Northampton followed, before he moved on to Gillingham in June 2014 having been unable to break into the Seagulls’ first team.

Despite having become a regular with the Gills, Dickenson, whose valuation is likely to be in the low hundred thousands, was released last summer and joined Colchester on a two-year deal. Since joining the U’s he has made 21 starts and two sub appearances, scoring seven times.

While primarily a left-sided wideman, Dickenson has recently played at left wing-back for Colchester and has also operated as a left-back and up front.

Elsewhere, The Daily Mail claims the Blues and Brentford have both offered £1.5 million to Wigan for midfielder Max Power, who was previously linked with Town earlier in the month.

The Blues are said to have offered better personal terms to the 23-year-old former Tranmere man.

The same paper also reports that Burnley, Cardiff City, Derby County, Newcastle United, Norwich City and Sunderland have all made enquiries to Leicester regarding Town loanee Tom Lawrence.

The 23-year-old is with Town for the season with manager Mick McCarthy having said he will not be leaving Portman Road this month even if the Foxes receive interest in signing him permanently from elsewhere.

Under the terms of his loan Lawrence can’t return to the King Power Stadium in January unless all three parties - the Blues, Leicester and the player himself - agree to it.

The report also claims the Foxes are willing to sell the Wales international for £1 million, which seems highly unlikely.

Meanwhile, Preston North End striker Jordan Hugill says Town’s interest in him is flattering.

The Blues are understood to have had a £1.5 million bid for the 24-year-old rebuffed by the Lilywhites earlier this month.

"I try to stay out of it, it’s nothing to do with me,” Hugill told the Lancashire Evening Post having scored both goals as his side drew 2-2 at Aston Villa on Saturday.

"It’s flattering but my job’s here. I want to score goals and I want to do well. I play for Preston North End and that’s where my focus is, that’s where I want to be.”

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