IPSWICH Town chairman David Sheepshanks today confirmed he is not concerned about the lack of his club's activity in the transfer window.And he told Blues fans not to be unduly alarmed even if no signings have been made this time next week.

Elvin King

IPSWICH Town chairman David Sheepshanks today confirmed he is not concerned about the lack of his club's activity in the transfer window.

And he told Blues fans not to be unduly alarmed even if no signings have been made this time next week.

And the man who remains the club figurehead despite the takeover by millionaire Marcus Evans hinted at the reasons why manager Jim Magilton is still waiting to improve his squad.

“The best players outside the Premier League will be the last ones to move in the transfer window,” said Sheepshanks.

“Their clubs will be reluctant to sell them and will be hoping to keep them.

“And inside the Premier League, players' wage demands can often be outside the reach of Championship clubs.

“Players who Premier League would rather sell will not be available for loan until late on this month.”

While there has been plenty of activity among other clubs in the Championship, Ipswich have had bids turned down for Plymouth's David Norris and Leicester's Gareth McCauley - plus a third bid for an unnamed player where they are still awaiting a reply.

Sheepshanks is to the forefront of the work going on at Portman Road to add to Magilton's squad and make it strong enough for a serious promotion push.

And he went on: “I am quietly optimistic there will be movement next week.

“But even if it takes longer our fans should not be unduly alarmed.

“We are working hard to bring the right players in.

“We are only just over half-way through the month and we are actively engaged on a number of different fronts.

“Supporters should not read anything into the fact that no signings have yet been made.“

Sheepshanks said that Magilton is under no pressure to sign players.

“Quite the opposite,” said the chairman.

“Jim is under no pressure to make signings, and there will be no knee jerk purchases.

“Marcus Evans is very supportive of our view that only the right players for this club should be brought in.”