Midfielder Jermaine Wright has officially told Town he will not be signing the new deal recently offered to him. The out-of-contract 28-year-old, who has spent five years at Portman Road, is understood to have been offered a more lucrative deal by a Premiership club, probably Everton.

Leeds were also reported to have offered him a deal, while George Burley's Derby are also said to have been interested.

The rest of Town's out-of-contract players - Jim Magilton, Fabian Wilnis and Richard Naylor - are all expected to sign their new deals in the next week.

Chris Makin said last month he would be putting open to paper on an interim two-month contract while he proves his fitness, and keeper Lewis Price was quick to commit to Town for another two years.

Central defender John McGreal agreed a three-year deal at Burnley last week, fitness and age limiting Town to a one-year offer. Alun Armstrong - also linked with Derby County - and Chris Bart-Williams were not offered new deals by manager Joe Royle.

Despite the likely exit of Bent and possibly Reuser, Royle admits that the club still need to make adjustments to the wage bill.

The Town manager, currently away co-commentating at Euro 2004 is probably making reference to highest-earner Pablo Couñago, widely tipped for a move back to Spain.

Royle said: "We still have a lot of housekeeping to do in order to bring the wage bill down further.

"Things will be a bit clearer in 10 days or so when we know for sure who is here and who has gone.

"We have contingency plans and I have earmarked certain players but none from the [Euro 2004]tournament.

"If we had made it into the Premiership, going to Portugal would have been ideal for scouting but now it has just been something of a busman's holiday."

Town start pre-season training on Monday with central defender Jason De Vos meeting up with his new team-mates for the first time.

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