Town chairman David Sheepshanks says that striker Darren Bent will not be for sale when the transfer window reopens in January. Bent is interesting a number of Premiership clubs, although Norwich have joined Aston Villa in denying that they will make a bid for the England U21 striker.

Sheepshanks says: "Darren Bent is one of the best strikers outside the Premiership and it is only natural that clubs will admire his talents, but he is doing an excellent job for Ipswich.

"Darren has said he wants to play in the Premiership with Ipswich and is scoring the goals that will help take us there and hopefully will still be scoring for Ipswich when we are in the Premiership.

"We have absolutely no wish or need to sell him in the January transfer window."

Norwich boss Nigel Worthington was at last week's game with Preston but says Bent is out of his club's price-range: "If I had £3 or £4 million to spend I might try and get the boy Bent. He's the one I would really love to take. He is a quality young player with great pace. He's got a wonderful leap when he's going for the ball and he knows where the net is. He is also a willing worker.

"But I think he will have bigger fish to fry. A lot of clubs who are a lot wealthier than us at this moment in time are likely to be interested in Darren Bent."

Aston Villa were reported to have made a bid for Bent earlier in the week, something subsequently denied by both clubs, while Everton are understood to be keen on the 20-year-old.

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