Town boss Joe Royle says he is surprised that no club has come in for free transfer-listed Dutch midfielder Nabil Abidallah. The 21-year-old has been available on a free for some while but the club has received no firm offers.

Abidallah went on trial at Ross County at the tail-end of last year, but manager Joe Royle told the club site that this has not progressed any further: "Ross County were keen on Nabil but nothing has happened, possibly because of the finances involved.

"I am amazed really that he has not been fixed up with a team by now. There have been plenty of representatives from clubs watching our reserves play, and Nabil has been outstanding in those games."

The former Ajax trainee joined the Blues in the summer of 2000 on a free transfer and has made three appearances as a sub in his time at Portman Road. His contract is up in the summer.

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