NEWCASTLE United, Charlton and Everton have been warned they will have to shell out big bucks if they want to land sensational teenage duo Darren Bent and Darren Ambrose.

NEWCASTLE United, Charlton and Everton have been warned they will have to shell out big bucks if they want to land sensational teenage duo Darren Bent and Darren Ambrose, writes Derek Davis.

A number of Premiership clubs are ready to slug it out for the Ipswich Town pair but Blues chairman David Sheepshanks has once again warned they will not get them on the cheap.

As reported in the EADT yesterday, David Moyes and Alan Curbishley were both at Portman Road on Wednesday night underlining their interest in the Town stars and were joined by dozens of top scouts.

But Sheepshanks last night said: "There are no bargains to be had. We are supported by the bank and the administrators when we say there will be no cut-price deals.

"We want to keep the squad together and push for promotion – nothing has changed.

"The only way we would sell is if there were a huge offer but none has been received."

While the teenage duo are getting all the attention there are a number of other players with Premiership experience who would also prove attractive to top-flight clubs.

Marcus Bent is a proven finisher who is beginning to look towards being at his best after a groin operation earlier in the season. Skipper Matt Holland is admired throughout the game, while Hermann Hreidarsson would also fetch big money.

There are also a number of players whose contracts expire in the summer including Jim Magilton, Jermaine Wright, Richard Naylor and Mark Venus, and they would all do a good job in the Football League.

Blues boss Joe Royle will today rally his troops after their disappointing 4-2 loss to Wolves after twice being ahead.

The good news is that Ambrose, who suffered an early knock after he delivered the ball for Marcus Bent to open the scoring and never got into the game, is recovering well and will face Grimsby.

There was a little more doubt about John McGreal, who was stiff and sore after his first senior game back in 10 weeks. He will be checked later today to see the extent of any reaction to his knee.

After watching a video of the game, Royle last night added: "The more I look at it, the more disappointed I am. We dominated for an hour and then let it slip. But it has gone now. We will gee everyone up for the game against Grimsby which is even more important now."is even more important now."