IPSWICH Town boss Jim Magilton has dismissed suggestions that Gavin Williams is Birmingham bound.Williams is recovering from a groin operation and is due to visit the specialist in Copenhagen again to hopefully get an all clear to step up training.

By Derek Davis

IPSWICH Town boss Jim Magilton has dismissed suggestions that Gavin Williams is Birmingham bound.

Williams is recovering from a groin operation and is due to visit the specialist in Copenhagen again to hopefully get an all clear to step up training.

Birmingham and City have both been linked with the midfielder, but Ipswich are keen to see him back in action for them while the Wales international is also seeking a new contract at Portman Road. Stoke's Tony Pulis has denied he is keen on signing Williams, who he did try to get when he was at Yeovil.

Magilton said: “We have not had a single offer for Gavin and he is still very much part of our plans. Once he gets fit and well and playing games then we will open negotiations.

“At the moment he needs to get fit playing games and playing well and I'm sure once that happens his agent will be banging down the door.”

While Williams has not been involved in pre-season games he has been watching and Alan Lee has been playing a key role despite being linked with Hull City who have had two offers knocked back by Town.

With a move for Sheffield United's Christian Nade collapsing yesterday Hull might step up their hunt, although they were last night in talks with former Bolton forward Henrik Pederson.

Magilton was happy not to hear any more from Hull and intends using him at Nene Park. He said: “Alan has played all the games so far and will carry on doing so.”

Lewis Price could be involved as it seems he is not shipping out in the near future, while Neil Alexander might get a run out depending on how he gets on in training today.

Magilton said: “We have had an enquiry for Lewis, but no specific offers. We will see how things are on Saturday, he may play as Neil is still a bit rusty.”

While stepping up fitness and improving performances is the key in pre-season games, Magilton will be looking for an improvement at Rushden & Diamonds tomorrow after defeat at Stevenage and a draw at Chelmsford where a mix of players coming back from injury and fringe players were held to a draw.

Magilton said: “It was a good 45 minutes for Sylvain Legwinski and all the other lads came through. I was delighted with Billy (Clarke) who looked really sharp.”

As the new campaign gets nearer so managers are looking to bring in long-term loans and Magilton is looking to help out some of his counterparts from the lower leagues by giving his young players experience elsewhere.

He said: “I would like some of the youngsters going out playing games. There were few scouts watching on Wednesday and I'm expecting a few phones calls now.”