JON Walters has admitted he is flattered by the interest shown in him by Premier League clubs, but insists he only wants to play in the top flight with Ipswich Town.

Derek Davis

JON Walters has admitted he is flattered by the interest shown in him by Premier League clubs, but insists he only wants to play in the top flight with Ipswich Town.

Despite weeks of speculation about his future during the transfer window, Walters has only spoken up now, and then in an interview to the club website.

Last season's player of the year claimed all the speculation about a possible move to a Premier League club was all media talk, despite Town chief executive Derek Bowden admitting last week that at least one club had made enquiries about signing Walters right up until and including deadline day.

Walters' wife and two daughters returned to Suffolk last week, after the window closed,

He said: “I have all heard all about the media stuff but I'm not interested in it to be honest.

“The facts are I have not asked for a transfer. I'm very happy at Ipswich Town and my family are now back in Suffolk after the birth.”

Stoke City, West Brom and Hull City, were all linked with Walters but Town insist none made a written offer for the £4m rated forward.

Walters said: “Derek Bowden has said many times that the club has received no bids for me. I have certainly not asked for a move. I do want to play in the Premier League and hopefully I will do it with Ipswich Town.”

Walters thanked manager Jim Magilton for allowing him two weeks off during pre-season so he could be with his wife for the birth of their second child.

He said: “My wife was heavily pregnant and trying to look after a three-year-old at that time was not easy. With me being away with the team she wanted the security of her family around so we decided she would have the baby back home in the north.

“It has been well documented about the problems surrounding the birth of our first child so although all the scans showed everything was fine; there is still that nagging worry at the back of your mind.

“I'll admit that during training sometimes my mind would wander. I'm a family man and family comes first with me.

“The manager had a word with me and was good enough to give me two weeks off to be with my wife.

“It was brilliant man-management and I made a point of thanking the gaffer when I came back.”

Walters also spoke about his Town future in a meeting with Magilton and where he will be best utilised this season.