Town chairman David Sheepshanks has commented on newspaper reports this morning once again linking Birmingham City co-owner David Sullivan with a move for the Blues.

Sheepshanks told the club site: "I am aware that David Sullivan had an interest in the club which has been speculated in the media for some time.

"He has subsequently been informed that we are in a period of exclusive negotiations with Marcus Evans, which are in an advanced state and expected to come to a satisfactory conclusion. Mr Sullivan both understands and accepts that."

Sullivan and David Gold are currently in the midst of selling Birmingham City to Hong Kong-based millionaire Carson Yeung, a deal which is taking some while to be completed. Neither of the pair would be able to invest in another club until they have sold their controlling stake in the Premiership side.

Adult magazines publisher Sullivan was first linked with Town by national newspapers back in June with local sources reviving the story at regular intervals ever since. The latest report claims Sullivan would have been willing to invest more cash in the club than prospective majority shareholder Marcus Evans has committed to up to now.

Last week the Blues announced that Evans would purchase £32 million of Town's debt with Norwich Union and Barclays — apparently at 20p in the pound, a total of £8 million — with an additional £12 million injected into the club.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls