WITH 10 days left before the transfer window Joe Royle answers every telephone call with a touch of trepidation.It could be a manager or chairman wanting to take a star player for the sort of money which would considerably ease Town's financial situation.

WITH 10 days left before the transfer window Joe Royle answers every telephone call with a touch of trepidation.

It could be a manager or chairman wanting to take a star player for the sort of money which would considerably ease Town's financial situation.

But he could also be after a player key to the Blues' promotion push.

Glenn Roeder's presence at Portman Road on Saturday to see them beat Preston will spark fresh rumours about Marcus Bent, but the Hammers are short of cash and unlikely to be able to afford Bent, who may be reluctant to go to a club who look destined for relegation.

Hermann Hreidarsson continues to be coveted by managers who want someone on loan, but if Birmingham today secure Matthew Upson, Steve Bruce will probably stop dialling his Town counterpart.

Royle is pragmatic about the situation.

He said: "At the moment we have no one in for any of our players.

"As a manager of a team who is trying to get into the top six I want to keep as many of the players who can help us as I can. But at the same time I know what has to be done if the situation arises."

A number of scouts will also be at Portman Road for Town's reserve team game against Leicester City on Wednesday with Finidi George, Alun Armstrong, Martijn Reuser and Richard Naylor all likely to be included.

Missing will be impressive 17-year-old central defender Chris Hogg, who will be with the England Under-18 squad taking part in the Meridien Cup in Egypt.

Hogg, a £150,000 purchase from York City, has been making a number of mature and assured performances in Town reserves and has played for his country at every age level up to Under-18.

And triallist Yohan Bouzin has not been given clearance to play so Royle and the staff will assess the Lorient defender during training this week.

Meanwhile, Richard Logan has signed a three-and-half-year contract with Boston United after a successful loan period. The EADT revealed earlier this month that Logan, who scored six goals in his first five games with the Pilgrims, would join on a permanent basis once personal terms had been agreed.

And Academy midfielder Robert Dickinson is spending a week on trial with West Ham. The 19-year-old has been told he will not get a new deal at the end of this season and last week impressed in a reserve team game at Rotherham.

n IPSWICH Town supporters have been allocated 1,975 tickets for the crunch derby match against Norwich City at Carrow Road on Sunday March 2, 1pm kick-off.

Tickets go on sale from Constantine Road for Gold Card holders next Monday for three days with season ticket holders from January 30 until February 1, Silver Card holders until February 5 and the remainder will go on general sale from February 6.

They can be bought in person or by calling 01473 400555.

And the club are looking for 200 Silver Club members to take part in an on-line trial on buying tickets. They should e-mail websales@itfc.co.uk