Striker Pablo Couñago says he won't be leaving Town prior to Thursday's transfer deadline. The Spaniard has spent most of this season on the bench but denies any personal animosity towards manager Joe Royle.

Couñago, Town's top earner, says he's not keen on a switch at this stage of the season: "There is no point in me going on loan now for the last month-and-a-half of the season.

"It takes time to settle in somewhere new and, by the time that happens, the season is over, so it is not worth it."

Couñago, who expects to be playing football in Spain next season, suggests that reports of a rift between himself and Joe Royle have been overstated: "I don't really have a problem with the manager and I think he likes me.

"He played me for the first year and more after he came but then last summer he wanted to sell me.

"It is about money and that's football, you have to accept these things happen."

Couñago was expected to leave the club last summer with the Blues keen to rid themselves of his wages, reported to be somewhere approaching £20,000-a-week. The striker even moved out of his town centre flat and said his farewells to neighbours.

However, no interest came and near to the closure of the August transfer window the Blues made the former Celta Vigo man available on a free transfer.

Since then Couñago has turned down loans at Preston and Córdoba, who play in the second tier of Spanish football, but no permanent move could be fixed.

The 25-year-old says he still wants to play some role in helping Town into the Premiership: "I would love Ipswich to get promoted and play a part in that happening in whatever way I can."

Deadline day is expected to pass quietly at Portman Road with the Blues without the funds to bring anyone in and loath to allow any members of the senior or Youth Cup squads to go out on loan.

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