Bent sets sights higher

HAVING surpassed himself by beating last season's goals target, Ipswich striker Darren Bent has set his sights even higher.

Bent, who signed a three-year deal last week, was aiming for 15 goals in his first full season at Portman Road but in fact got 18 – one behind top scorer Pablo Counago. Now he says he wants 25 or more next time around.

"On a personal note things went quite well for me last season," he told the club's website www.itfc.co.uk.

"I held down a regular place in the squad and scored over 15 goals, which was my target at the start of the year.

"Now I am looking at reaching 25 next season. That is what I will be aiming for because I want to play my part in helping Ipswich Town get back into the Premiership.

"I know I still have a lot to learn and there is plenty of room for improvement but working with Joe Royle, Willie (Donachie) and Mogga (Tony Mowbray) can only help me."

n Ipswich Town chairman David Sheepshanks is preparing to step out of the firing line and hand more of the running of the club to chief executive Derek Bowden.

Sheepshanks said: "Derek Bowden was originally recruited to take over the day-to-day management of the business affairs of the club.

"The financial crisis over the last 12 months required both of us on a full-time basis. However, now we are well in the recovery stage I am very keen that we should revert to the original plan."

n Irish schoolboy Michael Synnott, who joins Ipswich Town Academy full-time in the summer, has been called up for the Republic of Ireland for an U17 squad training camp this week. Full-back Synnott has already appeared for the Town U17 side.

Another Republic player, goalkeeper Shane Supple, had to miss the camp because he is recovering from a minor knee operation.