Ipswich deny player exodus

Hreidarsson is reportedly a target for Birmingham

Ipswich have denied they will be forced to off-load their big-name players to ease their financial situation.

The East Anglian side's coffers were heavily hit following their relegation from the Premiership last season.

Ipswich in the red

And they have been left paying top flight wages to a host of the international players despite a dramatic drop in their income.

At the start of the season, the club had tried to sell both Matt Holland and Hermann Hreidarsson in a bid to cut their debts but both players failed to agree respective switches to Aston Villa and Birmingham.

We are not in a situation where we will be forced to sell players

Ipswich Town spokesman

Newspaper reports have suggested Holland, the club captain, is being lined up for a move to Sunderland when the transfer window reopens in January.

Hreidarsson, meanwhile, is reportedly being targeted by Birmingham boss Steve Bruce.

But a spokesman for the club told BBC Sport Online: "We are not in a situation where we will be forced to sell players the second the transfer window reopens.

"Of course if other clubs come in for our players and our players choose to go then that's another matter.

"But, at present, there has been no contact with the club over either Matt or Hermann.

"Inevitably when the transfer window reopens there will be players who both come and go at every club and I expect that will happen here."

Club manager Joe Royle was equally dismissive of the speculation on the club's official website concerning the possible acquisition of new players.

He had been linked with Aston Villa striker Peter Crouch and Crewe forward Rob Hulse.

But he said: "I asked about Peter a while ago but was told he was not available. I have not enquired about Rob Hulse."