IPSWICH Town manager Paul Jewell has ruled out signing Peterborough United’s free-scoring striker Craig Mackail-Smith.

But he has confirmed his belief that he can keep Connor Wickham at Portman Road next season.

“I am looking for goalscorers, but there is no truth in the Mackail-Smith stories,” said Jewell, who has also been linked with David Nugent, Ched Evans, Jason Roberts as well as Coventry goalkeeper Keiren Westwood.

“Jason Roberts did really well for me at Wigan, and David Nugent always scores whenever he plays against Ipswich.”

Turning to Wickham, who has scored all of his nine goals this season since Jewell’s arrival in January, the manager went on:

“Connor will not have to leave because we need the money. But like every club we are susceptible to any big offers that might come in.

“Connor indicates to me that he wants to stay and in my opinion he’ll be better off playing for Ipswich, a team that will hopefully next season be going for success.”

When asked if he knew about Italian giants Juventus being interested in the 18-year-old. Jewell quipped: “Are you sure you don’t mean Fray Bentos?

“I read that other day that Tottenham wanted to make a �500,000 bid for one of our young players (Caolon Lavery). Do I have to say more?”

Jewell will be having a big impact on summer ins and outs, adding: “I want to have an input in transfers. Not sitting in negotiating table with the agent and talking about money, but it’s important for me to pitch a player at a certain level of transfer fee and maybe his wages.

“I think that’s right and I have done that most of mu managerial career. There are deals going on, with our owner speaking to other chairmen, trying to keep it as discreet as possible. Some of these deals are not a million miles away.”