x

Couñago Not Moving - Ipswich Town News

Striker Pablo Couñago says he won't be leaving Town prior to Thursday's transfer deadline. The Spaniard has spent most of this season on the bench but denies any personal animosity towards manager Joe Royle.

Couñago, Town's top earner, says he's not keen on a switch at this stage of the season: "There is no point in me going on loan now for the last month-and-a-half of the season.

"It takes time to settle in somewhere new and, by the time that happens, the season is over, so it is not worth it."

Couñago, who expects to be playing football in Spain next season, suggests that reports of a rift between himself and Joe Royle have been overstated: "I don't really have a problem with the manager and I think he likes me.

"He played me for the first year and more after he came but then last summer he wanted to sell me.

"It is about money and that's football, you have to accept these things happen."

Couñago was expected to leave the club last summer with the Blues keen to rid themselves of his wages, reported to be somewhere approaching £20,000-a-week. The striker even moved out of his town centre flat and said his farewells to neighbours.

However, no interest came and near to the closure of the August transfer window the Blues made the former Celta Vigo man available on a free transfer.

Since then Couñago has turned down loans at Preston and Córdoba, who play in the second tier of Spanish football, but no permanent move could be fixed.

The 25-year-old says he still wants to play some role in helping Town into the Premiership: "I would love Ipswich to get promoted and play a part in that happening in whatever way I can."

Deadline day is expected to pass quietly at Portman Road with the Blues without the funds to bring anyone in and loath to allow any members of the senior or Youth Cup squads to go out on loan.

What to read next:

Mthunzi Named in Provisional Zimbabwe Squad
Town U21s defender Corbin Mthunzi has been named in a provisional Zimbabwe squad ahead of their opening two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers later this month.
Ademiluyi Starts as England Draw U20s World Cup Opener
Town Women’s striker Princess Ademiluyi was in the starting XI as England drew 1-1 with Canada in their opening group game at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
U18s Win at Birmingham
The Blues’ U18s beat Birmingham City 3-0 at the Midlanders’ Knighthead Training and Academy Grounds this afternoon.
Wright: We Want to Build on Last Year and Keep Moving Forward
Ipswich Town Women get their WSL2 season under way on Sunday when they host Nottingham Forest at the JobServe Community Stadium in Colchester (KO 2pm, live on YouTube) and TWTD spoke to manager David Wright ahead of his first full season in charge.
Palmer: The Target is Definitely Promotion
One of fifteen new signings made by Ipswich Town Women during the transfer window, Aimee Palmer believes that promotion to the top tier is a realistic ambition for the club this season after successfully avoiding relegation at the end of their first campaign in WSL2.
Diop: You Always Learn from the Best
Town defender Issa Diop expressed his desire to learn from players like Virgil van Dijk following the Blues’ 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at Portman Road.
Ipswich Town 0-2 Liverpool - Highlights
Highlights of last night’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at Portman Road.
Iraola: We Learned Lessons From the Previous Two Games
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola felt his team had learned lessons from their opening two matches, which had both ended in 2-2 draws, as they beat the Blues 2-0 at Portman Road, the Spaniard’s first win since taking charge at Anfield.
O'Neil: The Response to Going 2-0 Down Feels Like a Win
Blues boss Gary O’Neil was proud of his side and the way they responded to going two goals down early on, despite falling to a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at Portman Road.
Ipswich Town 0-2 Liverpool - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.