IPSWICH Town boss George Burley today revealed why he is not buying British in a bid to strengthen the Blues' squad."The quality is not there that we need right now, it's as simple as that," said the Portman Road chief, whose side have slipped to third-from-bottom in the Premiership table.

IPSWICH Town boss George Burley today revealed why he is not buying British in a bid to strengthen the Blues' squad.

"The quality is not there that we need right now, it's as simple as that," said the Portman Road chief, whose side have slipped to third-from-bottom in the Premiership table.

Town have scouts scouring leagues abroad in the quest for top talent.

Burley, who revealed that there was no further development regarding the bid he has tabled for an overseas midfield player, was at pains to emphasise his point.

He said: "Do you realise that only three players were brought in for cash by Premiership clubs from the Nationwide League in the summer?

"The clubs were Manchester United, who took goalkeeper Roy Carroll from Wigan, Charlton who got striker Jason Euell from Wimbledon and ourselves who signed Tommy Miller from Hartlepool.

"Tommy is a young player who obviously needs time to adjust and I'm confident he can make the transition from a Third Division player to a top grade performer."

Burley's scouts take in many games every week weighing up possible home-grown signings.

"We look here, there and everywhere for the right players here in Britain. But the quality is not there we are needing, it's a fact," he insisted.

"Look at my record for signing Nationwide League players. There have been the likes Marcus Stewart, Matt Holland, Mark Venus, John McGreal, Jermaine Wright and David Johnson.

"These players have all been outstanding for us and if I could get similar quality to that from the Nationwide now then I would, but for what we need at the moment the standard is just not there.

"Ideally I want to bring players in from the academy and for that reason we are spending the vast amounts we are on our youth policy. After that I want to get good players from the Nationwide League.

"But our search has to be concentrated abroad just now as the sort of quality players can be found there and at the right price. The step from the Nationwide First Division to the Premiership is a vast one and to survive you have to bring in the right level players."

With regard to signing new players from rival Premiership clubs, Burley admitted: "The wages are phenomenal for the players you would really want.

"And on top of that, clubs have big squads that they do not want to weaken."

On the subject of the bid that is in he said: "It's been tabled and hopefully we will hear something within the next day or two."

Burley ruled out Greek international striker Angelos Haristas as being the player for whom the offer has been made.

Simon Hunt, a Town European scout, watched Haristas in action for Aris Salonika at the weekend.