Ipswich boss Paul Jewell says second tier rivals Middlesbrough have not been back in contact regarding a possible deal for Jason Scotland.
Town striker unlikely to leave as he closes on contract extension
Ipswich boss Paul Jewell says second tier rivals Middlesbrough have not been back in contact regarding a possible deal for Jason Scotland.
Boro were keen on the experienced frontman over the summer, but were unable to lure him away from Portman Road.
It was reported that Tony Mowbray had made a fresh approach to land the 32-year-old during the winter transfer window, with a goalscorer still very much top of his wish list.
Jewell, though, has sought to play down those rumours by insisting that no-one from the Riverside Stadium has been back in touch.
He said: "Middlesbrough were interested in the last window, but I haven't had any contact with Tony Mowbray regarding Jason Scotland in this window."
There is more chance of Scotland earning a new deal at Ipswich than him heading for the exits, with Jewell confirming that he has a clause in his contract which entitles him to an extension when he has made 19 appearances.
On a man who has made 13 appearances so far, Jewell added: "There is clause after 19 league starts. I'm not going to not play him because he's got a clause. There are a few players who have got clauses in their contracts at this club and other clubs.
Clause
"It can sometimes cause problems, I think it caused a problem at Portsmouth with Michael Brown, but I don't envisage it causing us a problem.
"It's not something where the owner has said make sure you don't play him. He's in the team we're playing at Birmingham and I'll pick a team on what I think is best. We're not exactly in a situation to be picky and choosy, we have to pick what we think is the best team."
While reluctant to part with any players in January, Jewell concedes that there might be movement if the right offers materialise.
He said "If an offer comes in for any player, whoever that player is, if we think it's an acceptable offer and the player wants to go, that's football. Otherwise everyone would stay at the same club for the rest of their lives.
"I'm not thinking of moving Jason Scotland out at the moment but I could get back to the office and get a phone call from a club that wants to buy him, so that might change. But as I sit here, clauses in people's contracts don't come into my thinking, the only thinking I'm doing is about trying to get a result.
"It's very early in the window. I'm more interested in getting people in than getting people out."
