RAMS REJECT TOWN`S POOM BID

Rams boss Jim Smith revealed that Town manager George Burley approached him about Poom's availability, but stated that he rejected the bid out of hand.

The size of the bid is unknown, but it is believed that it was in the region of £4 million.

Burley has money available to bring in a new players having sold Richard Wright to Arsenal and he captured Andy Marshall from East Anglia rivals Norwich as his replacement.

"George was in touch while we were away," said Smith. "Ipswich made an offer for Mart and we rejected it."

Poom signed a new deal with the club in the summer which will keep him at Pride Park until 2004, but he has been linked with a move away from The Rams with Manchester United keen on him before they signed Roy Carroll from Wigan Athletic.

Smith has been forced to offload players to bring money in to add to the squad and it was reported that Poom could be the first to go with Andy Oakes proving last season he was an able deputy for the former Portsmouth stopper, but Smith is keen to keep the Estonian.

Poom is currently injured with a dislocated finger, but Smith is hopeful of having him fit for the start of the Premiership season this weekend, when they entertain Blackburn Rovers.

"Mart is not completely fit yet and we've had to withdraw him from Estonia's World Cup game against Cyprus this week," said Smith.

"We need him right when Blackburn Rovers are here to start the Premiership season."