Town manager Paul Hurst has refused to fuel the growing speculation linking Martyn Waghorn with a move to Derby County, although he admitted that he has “had a conversation” with the sought-after frontman.

Speaking after Town’s 1-0 win over MK Dons, a victory earned through Freddie Sears’ second-half penalty, Hurst said he knew nothing of any developments regarding Waghorn’s future but was cryptic when asked why he had been left on the bench for the entire 90 minutes.

“Nothing’s changed since the weekend on that side,” Hurst said. “If [Derby are in for him] it’s news to me, if anything’s changed. I’m sure, when I switch my phone on, if there’s anything I’ll be getting a call to say so.”

National newspaper reports this evening suggest Waghorn has put in a transfer request and Hurst was reluctant to elaborate on discussions that have taken place between the pair.

“I’ve spoken with Martyn,” he said. “I’m not going to divulge at this moment in time what that conversation was, but we have had a conversation.”

Asked whether Waghorn’s lack of action against the League Two side was simply through a desire to assess other squad options, Hurst simply replied “Possibly”.

Any deal with the Rams would complicate what already looks likely to be a frantic two and a half weeks of pre-deadline day activity at Portman Road. “I feel like it’s groundhog day,” Hurst said of Town’s chase to add to the four summer signings they have already made.

“Every time I open my eyes you start the process of trying to come up with something new or hoping a situation has changed.

“Just because Ellis [Harrison] has come in it doesn’t mean it’s the end of our business. The lads have done well tonight but we certainly need more bodies still, every Ipswich Town fan can see that I’m sure. We’re talking about being patient: it’s a testing time, it’s testing my patience, but we’ll get there in the end.”

On Monday the Scunthorpe chairman Peter Swann said his club had rejected a “rubbish” bid from Town for their left-back, Conor Townsend. Asked whether such a bid had been placed, Hurst answered: “If he’s said that then it must be true.”

Hurst would not say how many players he is targeting — “I’d better not because I’ll scare the owner… no, we still need a few more” — but admitted that central defence remains an urgent priority.

“We’re looking at a couple of lads obviously,” he said. “Credit to Luke Woolfenden, he’s looking a good player. Is he ready to play 46 games a season? We all know that’s certainly not the case but that’s nothing against him.

“Between him and Luke Chambers they’re the only two recognised centre-backs we have, a couple of players can fill in there but if that happens we’re stretched in other areas.

“So certainly I’d suggest that’s the most obvious place we need strength, whether that’s strength in depth or lads coming in to start. We want competition all over the pitch.”

On the pitch, Hurst was far happier with a dominant performance against Paul Tisdale’s side that should have yielded a bigger winning margin. Town pressed intensely for much of the game but failed to take advantage of several promising situations near the goal.

“I was pretty pleased, I think it was the best we’ve been so far,” he said. "In particular our pressing to win the ball back high up the pitch, there were improvements to be seen there.

“The lads did it with more intent tonight, a better attitude towards that side of the game, which enabled us to have some opportunities we didn’t take advantage of.

“That’s probably the biggest standout for me, we’ve still got to stop making the ballboys and stewards be as busy when we’re in good positions. But certainly the best performance since I’ve arrived.”

Although Town did not miss a string of clear chances, he highlighted that being clinical does not necessarily equate to converting a shot on goal.

“It’s not really someone being through on goal and missing target, it’s more the final pass or cross into the box,” he said. “That’s where we’ve certainly got to be more clinical.

“Bart’s made a big save which would have made the scoreline 1-1, and if that’s finished like that I think it would have been an injustice to a lot of the work the players carried out over the 90 minutes.

“But if you don’t get that second goal you always leave yourselves vulnerable.”

Hurst was particularly pleased with Harrison, who put in a lively 63 minutes and came close to scoring in both halves. Harrison seemed particularly well cut-out for the pressing game and his new manager believes there is much more to come.

“He’s mobile, he is a threat when we get balls in the box, he was unlucky in particular with one header,” he said.

“He hasn’t trained with the players, that’s his first outing. I’m pleased with how he’s already settled in with the group, he’s a good character in the dressing room and will be, moving forwards.

“His movement was good so, as we haven’t done any work with him yet, it’s a very positive sign.”

Photo: PagePix

afcfee added 22:59 - Jul 24 From Twitter - More on Derby County: Frank Lampard is readying a bid of £3m plus two players for Martyn Waghorn. The two players offered in exchange are unknown at this stage. #DCFC #ITFC
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afcfee added 23:00 - Jul 24 From Twitter - More on Derby County: Frank Lampard is readying a bid of £3m plus two players for Martyn Waghorn. The two players offered in exchange are unknown at this stage. #DCFC #ITFC
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Esseeja added 23:02 - Jul 24 Hurst, mate, with all due respect, you have to know when YOUR OWN players are in talks. £8M isn't enough for me, I'd take £10M-12M. If ME banks 9/10ths of it as usual, we don't have a chance at all. If he does go, at least try and trade in one of THEIR big players, Vydra may be over the top but at least try.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 23:04 - Jul 24 Now. .... regress of anyone's current feelings on Hurst or the club surely you cannot argue with that, after 5 years of Mick interviews (bearing in mind I found Micks dryness amusing quite often) how refreshing is that for a pos match interview?
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BlueandTruesince82 added 23:05 - Jul 24 Esseeja, do you think maybe he does know but is being discreet? Just like he didn't know when the Edwards bid was accepted, of course he did.
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GTRKing added 23:07 - Jul 24 PH hurst is not saying anything as wanna keep it quite looks like £3ml+ 2 players or £8ml waiting to see what derby say first hope it tom Lawrence or chris Martin
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Plums added 23:08 - Jul 24 I like PH more and more by the day: “we've still got to stop making the ballboys and stewards be as busy when we're in good positions.” 😂
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BlueBlood90 added 23:09 - Jul 24 I'd be very disappointed in Waghorn if he's handed in a transfer request and tried to force a move through. I don't remember too many teams queuing up to sign him last year and he should show us a bit of respect. Regarding Derby now apparently offering £3m plus 2 players then forget about it. £8m or no deal.
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christiand added 23:11 - Jul 24 The Tilt situation is ridiculous, if they want the player why are they hanging around? Get the deal done, but NO we have to drag it out because ME won't pay an extra £5,000 (tongue-in-cheek) to get the deal over the line. Really can't understand what the hold up is? I've no doubt ME knows what Blackpool want, so get it done and stop dragging your heels!
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howdonblue added 23:13 - Jul 24 Cash plus Tom Lawrence please
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KiwiBlue2 added 23:21 - Jul 24 5m plus Tom Lawrence would be a good deal........
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smurfsareblue added 23:30 - Jul 24 No one actually knows what the deal is. Is it a deal totalling 8 million with add-ons or is it 3 mill plus some players. Personally feel if it is 3 mill plus 2 players that would save time and effort recruiting 2 more with the cash and if its a swap plus a few quid then no one needs to worry about Evans pocketing the cash. Win win
3

smurfsareblue added 23:33 - Jul 24 Although the quality of swapped players would make it a good or poor deal obviously
1

MichaelRockyLavelle added 23:48 - Jul 24 £3M + Tom Lawrence + David Nugent That'd be nice
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Esseeja added 00:05 - Jul 25 BlueandTrusince82 I don't feel he should be discreet about it when we are talking about top players in our club.
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dav86 added 00:38 - Jul 25 This won't happen, Marriott going derby instead
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HARRY10 added 00:59 - Jul 25 It might be dressed up as £8m but the actual money we receive will be less than half that
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peaky69 added 04:36 - Jul 25 Jerome, Lawrence, Vydra, Nugent plus Bent, Martin, a couple of young lads on top of signing Blackman and Josefzoon and 2 loans from Liverpool and Chelsea that will require playing. Where does Waghorn fit in this line up?
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Karlosfandangal added 05:30 - Jul 25 BBC are carrying a article say that Marriott want Derby move and his head has been turned.. I can't see Derby going for Waghorn and Marriott. If Waghorn does go then go for cash as Derby will not let good players go to get Waghorn. If he does go then why not go for Marriott ourselves. Don't want Lawrence as for me when the going got tough he seemed to hide for me especially the Lincoln games and he never really did much for Derby last year.

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bobble added 05:42 - Jul 25 if the ball boys stand in a different position will we score more goals ?
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BlueMachines added 06:40 - Jul 25 Thanks for the one good season Waggy! Shame he wants to leave but if we got 2 decent players and £3m then it's great business. One needs to be a decent forward player and one central defender. That way we improve squad numbers without the lottery of the transfer market and reduce the amount ME holds back!
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ArnieM added 06:56 - Jul 25 Would much rather have some money and two players than a big pile of money , much of which Hurst won't see again as Evans will pocket it. If we get those two players from Derby then we haven't got to waste time identifying them and beginning the ( with us) lengthy process of trying entice them here . Bye bye Waggy . Thanks for your efforts last season. Can't see him getting much game time at Derby though !

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brendenward35 added 06:58 - Jul 25 2 players plus 3m? I doubt this most of the Derby players will be on good wages so I doubt Town will pay these.
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Woodbridgian added 07:04 - Jul 25 If Waghorn wants to go and by the sound of it he does then so be it and we just need to get on with it we must get the money in with plenty of time to spend it before the window closes and not end up with another Murphy situation. With regard to player stops would be great if it was Lawrence but can't see it somehow. Re Karlosfandangels comment above re Lawrence not doing much last season that comment IMO would apply to Waghorn and the rest of his career he's had one good season at Ipswich not done much anywhere else. If it is £8 m and he wants to go I'd take the money

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Woodbridgian added 07:07 - Jul 25 Ps Swops not stops! And also see Sky are linking us with a move for Exeter's Jayden Stockley which would be interesting been scoring for fun in league one
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