Joe Royle today quashed the latest batch of transfer rumours surrounding Ipswich Town.

This week alone the rumour-mill has linked the Blues with unsettled Blackburn defender John Curtis and Spurs shotstopper Lars Hirschfeld.

But manager Royle told the Evening Gazette: "I've never even heard of the keeper.

"At this stage, there's no transfer news whatsoever. We haven't received any bids and we're not pursuing anyone ourselves. Anyone can link a club with a player and there's nothing I can do about speculation."

Hirschfeld is not the first keeper to be linked with Town since the transfer window reopened in January - they were also reported to be tracking Manchester City's Nicky Weaver.

But Royle said: "At the moment, I'm happy with Andy Marshall."

Published Friday, January 17, 2003

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