IPSWICH Town's second bid for David Norris was last night officially rejected by Plymouth Argyle.The Pilgrims had earlier refused to accept the midfielder's written transfer request which he handed in last Friday.

Derek Davis

IPSWICH Town's second bid for David Norris was last night officially rejected by Plymouth Argyle.

The Pilgrims had earlier refused to accept the midfielder's written transfer request which he handed in last Friday.

They have now told the Blues he is not for sale and politely declined their offer for around £1.7m.

Blues boss Jim Magilton will today consider his next move and will also be watching the situation at Home Park closely.

Norris is clearly unsettled, although that didn't stop him putting in a man of the match performance against Southampton on Saturday and setting up Argyle's goal in the 1-1 draw.

Ironically, Town's next game is at home to Plymouth on January 29 and Town still hope to have him playing for them in that game, although Plymouth are determined he will be playing in the green and white that night.

Norris still has 18 months of his contract left and he will honour his contract and remain an Argyle player - at least until the summer transfer window.

Plymouth are taking a tough line with Norris as they have sold enough players already in the transfer window and fear a fans' mutiny if Norris is sold.

Town have been eyeing up other possible deals to add to the signing of Alan Quinn, whose £400,000 switch from Sheffield United is expected to be rubber-stamped this morning.

Coventry City boss Iain Dowie has confirmed Ipswich's interest in striker Leon Best but said nothing more concrete had followed an initial conversation.

Dowie said: “Jim is my best friend in football and we speak all the time. Jim is always asking about players and he asked me about Bestie but there has not been a bid from Ipswich.”

Town would probably only move for Best if Alan Lee were sold but for all the reports of Burnley's interest in the nine-goal striker, Town have still not received a formal offer for him from anyone.

The Blues have not yet followed up their interest in Leicester City defender Gareth McAuley with Ian Holloway saying he does not want to lose him.

Dean Bowditch has returned to Ipswich Town at the end of his two-month loan spell with Northampton Town.

The striker scored twice for the Cobblers from seven starts and three substitute appearances.

“Dean said he wanted to return to Ipswich to fight for a first team place,” said Cobblers boss Stuart Gray.