Town have signed 17-year-old goalkeeper James Pullen from non-league Heybridge Swifts on a two year contract.

The man they are already calling the New Simon Milton 'Cept He Plays in Goal joins the club for an initial fee of nothing rising to more if he reaches the first team, figures have not been specified. Town have also agreed to take a strong squad to Heybridge next summer for a pre-season friendly.

Pullen impressed Town and several other clubs with his performances for the Ryman's Premier League side and had impressed on trial at Portman Road. Town got in ahead of West Ham, Norwich, Bristol City and Colchester for Pullen's signature.

Goalkeeping coach Malcolm Webster said of the 6' 2" keeper "He is very enthusiatic and we hope he will prove to be a very good acquisition".

Town reserves beat Colchester reserves 3-1 in a passionless affair at Portman Road yesterday. Goals from Jonas Axeldal (2) and Stuart Niven were enough to beat the Essex side.

Axeldal opened the scoring in the 18th minute when he was put through by Richard Logan and shot home.

After a couple of poor misses from Logan Axeldal increased the Blues' lead with a neat finish from a Marco Holster pass.

Colchester got back into the game when out of form and out of favour forward Lomana Lua Lua sent a right foot exocet flying past Mike Salmon.

Salmon was lucky to stay on the pitch when he looked to have handled outside the area, however the referee failed to see things that way.

Town completed the scoring when Stuart Niven hit the third in second half injury time.

Town team: Salmon, Kennedy, Holster, Tanner, Mowbray, Brown (Moffat 46), Keeble, Niven, Axeldal, Logan and Friars.

Joint-Millwall managers Keith Stevenes and Alan McLeary once again watched Adam Tanner with a view to taking the 25-year-old centre-half or midfielder on loan.

George Burley has reiterated that David Johnson is not for sale. Burley said: "David's going nowhere. I can assure our fans that he will definitely not be leaving this football club this season. We will not be selling any players.

"If I go into the transfer market I am more likely to strengthen, not weaken, the squad."

The Blues manager has said this several times already this season, but reports that Johnson was selling his house and an ambiguous interview with Sky at the weekend have led to rumours resurfacing.

Johnson is moving house, but is merely relocating locally. Save the quote from Burley for use on banners later in the season, should they be required. Here's hoping not...

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls