DONCASTER Rovers have rejected a bid from Ipswich Town for Billy Sharp and James Coppinger.

Paul Jewell has tabled a �2.6 million bid for the Doncaster duo with Sharp seen by many as the answer to Town’s goalscoring problems.

But Rovers chairman John Ryan has rejected the bids – in the region of �2.3m for Sharp and �300,000 for Coppinger - claiming the pair are pivotal to Doncaster’s plans next season.

Ryan said: “Sean O’Driscoll (Rovers manager) is determined to build a quality squad to go into next season and these two players are pivotal to that desire.

“The club remains ambitious and feels that with a bit more luck with injuries and refereeing decisions we can be a real force in the Championship next season.

“Sharp and Coppinger are without doubt wonderful players that are getting better and better. I’m very confident, if they both remain fit, they will influence our campaign in a very positive way.

“I’m confident Billy can notch 25 goals next season, with James providing the bullets for him, along with others. Myself, the directors, the management team and the players are looking forward to a great season next term - and we’re looking up rather than down.”

Sharp appears to be the Town manager’s number one transfer target this summer while Coppinger, Rovers’ longest-serving player, is an attack-minded wide player.

The Town boss this week said he wanted to bring in new recruits sooner rather than later and that he was closing in on his first new signing – though it is believed this was not a striker.