Town manager Joe Royle says he is expecting Finidi George to leave the club during the January transfer window. David Sheepshanks recently said that the club has received interest in the Nigerian with Spain his most likely destination.

Despite this Royle says he will continue to play the former World Cup star: "Finidi has not settled and this happens. He would like to return to his family in Spain and we will work on getting him fixed-up.

"But my policy is if we are paying him then we will play him and he will come into contention when match fit."

George picked up an ankle injury in the reserve game with Spurs towards the end of 2002 and is available on a free transfer. He has said he will take a pay cut to leave Portman Road.

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