IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton today confirmed that leading scorer Alan Lee will remain in the Blues firing line next season.And the Town boss also revealed that there is unlikely to be any surprise summer departures from Portman Road.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton today confirmed that leading scorer Alan Lee will remain in the Blues firing line next season.

And the Town boss also revealed that there is unlikely to be any surprise summer departures from Portman Road.

With the possible full-time arrival of former England international striker Francis Jeffers and the emergence of January signing Jonathan Walters, Blues supporters have expressed their concern that 28-year-old Lee might be on his way.

His part in the unauthorised two-day seven-player New Year jaunt to Amsterdam put a strain on the relationship between player and manager.

But this was quickly sorted and despite being left out of two of the last four Championship matches 17-goal Lee features highly in Magilton's thoughts.

“I am under no pressure to sell anybody this summer,” said Magilton today.

“There is no danger of any player leaving the club who I want to stay as I feel I have the basis on which to build a successful squad.”

Lee, Owen Garvan and Gavin Williams are three key players who are set to feature at Portman Road in 2007/08, although the manager did reveal that he might be in a position to wheel and deal with some of his squad.

“If it means the difference between bringing in the right player or not I will go down the road of listening to offers,” added Magilton.

“There is a great deal of work going on behind the scenes and the plan is to bring in newcomers sooner rather than later.”

Jeffers and a return for goalkeeper Richard Wright are two moves Magilton is working on, while remaining loyal to most of his squad.

He has cleared his decks slightly today by releasing 20-year-old defender James Krause.

A member of the 2005 FA Youth Cup-winning side, Krause was on loan at Carlisle for part of last season.

Krause, who never made an Ipswich first team appearance, joins Scott Barron, who has a Town contract to 2008 but is being released, Darren Currie and Martin Brittain, whose departure at the end of his one-year contract was rubber stamped today.

Sito Castro has been told he will be made available for transfer despite having another year to run on his contract.

Teenage striker Darryl Knights is currently with Yeovil and he will meet up with Magilton after the League One play-offs.

Dean Bowditch's situation is being monitored with Magilton saying: “We will look after Dean and get him fit during the close season - and then see what the situation is in August.”

Bowditch, who spent time on loan at Brighton last season, has a Town contract until June 2008.

“I have the crux of the squad I want for next season,” said Magilton. “We already have Richard Naylor, Sylvain Legwinski and Jason De Vos working at the training ground as they recover from foot injuries to be ready in time for pre-season.”