IPSWICH Town are remaining tight-lipped over reports that interest is being shown in three of their players.

Crystal Palace are without doubt intent on signing Blues midfielder Owen Garvan, while Sheffield United have made a move for defender Alex Bruce.

A story that Neil Warnock’s Queens Park Rangers has had a �2.5million bid for Town striker Jon Walters turned down may prove less authentic, but there may not be smoke without fire.

Walters, who is expected to have recovered from a virus to captain a Town XI in a 20/20 charity cricket match against Ipswich & East Suffolk CC at Chantry Park on Friday (start 6.15pm), has been an ever-present since signing from Chester City in January 2007.

Manager Roy Keane has sung his praises often enough and there has been no indication that the utility player might be on his way out of Portman Road.

And if a high bid like QPR’s reported offer has been turned down, Walters’ value to Ipswich will have been confirmed.

It is the policy of the Blues hierarchy not to comment on speculation, but Town fans will be left to wonder whether Walters might be sacrificed if Rangers interest is genuine and they pursue the matter.

If so, Keane might find himself with more financial scope to bargain with in his quest to bring in fresh faces.

Former Town boss George Burley sees Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Garvan as a player he would like to take to Selhurst Park although an initial reported bid of �100,000 is some way below Town’s valuation of the player.

If the price is right – fee and wage structure – then Garvan will go as he is one of the eight currently on Town’s books whose names have been circulated as available to leave the Blues.

Bruce is another on the list and his move to Bramall Lane is a definite possibility with a fee of �200,000 suggested.

Negotiations are still at the early stages with Ipswich chief executive Simon Clegg currently not at the club.

Stories about striker Michael Chopra moving to Portman Road from Cardiff continue, backed by the Welsh side’s dire financial situation.

The departure of Walters, Garvan and Bruce – all relatively high wage earners – could pave the way to some developments with Chopra.

But other clubs are in a better position to offer Chopra the deal he would want, and Walters for one is still short odds to start the season an Ipswich Town player.