Derby manager Jim Smith has confirmed that Town have had a bid turned down for Mart Poom while the midlanders were away on pre-season, Jim Smith: "George was in touch while we were away. Ipswich made an offer for Mart and we rejected it."

The offer is thought to be in excess of the £4.5 million fee paid for Hermann Hreidarsson last summer. The Estonian keeper is currently injured and missed the friendly with FC Flora. He has a dislocated finger and has been withdrawn from the Estonian squad.

Derby seem likely to try to hang on to Poom as hard as they can, however they are under pressure from their banks. Smith is said to need to be careful with money and wants to keep his club's key players.

Meanwhile a tabloid newspaper this morning links Town with a £1.5 million bid for West Ham keeper Shaka Hislop. The former Reading and Newcastle player looks set to be on the bench at Upton Park after their signing of Davod James.

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