A SECRET meeting called by Jim Magilton for a select few of his squad has left a number of other players fuming.The Blues boss invited eight players to his office to tell them they were the backbone of his plans and the future of the club.

Derek Davis

A SECRET meeting called by Jim Magilton for a select few of his squad has left a number of other players fuming.

The Blues boss invited eight players to his office to tell them they were the backbone of his plans and the future of the club.

The meeting at Portman Road included seven of the starting side and one of the five named substitutes who less than 48 hours later lost at Norwich City.

The under-performing team were accused of showing less desire to win than the Canaries and many Town supporters called for Magilton to step down or be sacked.

One senior player, left out of the gathering and who asked not to be named, revealed: “It was supposed to go ahead without the others knowing.

“They were told not to say anything about it but some of the players who went along weren't comfortable with it and spoke about it afterwards.

“The gaffer apparently told the group they were the players he envisaged being the backbone of his team and having a long-term future with him.”

The eight who were invited to the summit are believed to be team skipper Gareth McAuley, David Norris, Richard Wright, David Wright, Veliche Shumulikoski, Owen Garvan, Jon Walters and Shane Supple.

At least one other player who was not asked to attend is understood to have spoken to Magilton about the meeting and has subsequently been told he was free to leave the club if he wished.

Responding to questions about the meeting, Magilton said: “I did speak to some of my players in a meeting a few days before the Norwich game but it was nothing unusual. I'm not going into detail about what was said other than we discussed the ambitions and aims of this football club, just as I have done with other players before and since, both in groups and as individuals.

“There's no more to it than that and holding meetings with players, whether it be one player, five players or 25 players is something I will continue to do in the future as well.”

Town beat Bristol City 3-1 on the Wednesday night at Portman Road but a 2-1 defeat at home to Cardiff City has sparked more unrest among supporters.

Magilton has also been criticised in some quarters, including former Manchester United star and Stoke City manager Lou Macari, for allowing his players to go to Dublin for a two-day Christmas party.