Graaven has denied the claim that he and another 19-year-old were involved in the rape of a 17-year-old girl at the weekend. Graaven was set to seek a meeting with both George Burley and David Sheepshanks today after being released on police bail.

The Dutchman said: "I completely deny this. A policeman arrived here yesterday when me and my dad were here and I just couldn't believe it. My name is now going to have a slur against it. And I will always be thought of as being involved in this incident.

"I am really worried about going to training today and everyone looking at me. I will go in today and speak to George Burley and David Sheepshanks if he is there."

Delia Smith has launched an attack on the quality of Town's backroom staff as the Blues "head-hunted" Norwich City's sales manager John Ford to be Town's new ticket office manager.

The cook said she was "sick and tired of hearing how wonderful Ipswich are". Delia was responding to fans' questions asking her to compare David Sheepshanks and Norwich chairman Bob Cooper.

Smith said: "Yes, they are brilliant on the pitch - no-one can deny that, but behind the scenes they are in a mess. They have had to head-hunt our ticket manager and now they're building a £24m stand. What's going to happen if they go down? They will have to sell their players."

Town's current ticket office manager Bill Leggate has been away from the club for some while suffering from ill-health and will not be returning.

Town are being linked with another Dane Lars Jacobsen. The Odense defender was watched by the Blues when his side used Town's training facilities earlier in the year and reports claim that Town scout Simon Hunt has continued to keep an eye on him.

Jacobsen is an U21 international right-back who has also been targeted by Middlesbrough.

Town have four players away on international duty this week. Hermann Hreidarsson is with Iceland, Jim Magilton with Northern Ireland, Matt Holland with Ireland and Amir Karic with Slovenia.

Titus Bramble has already withdrawn from the England U21 side.

Photo: Action Images

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