JIM Magilton, the Ipswich Town manager, today confirmed his faith in striker Alan Lee when he said: “Alan is not going anywhere.”Lee was reported to be the subject of close season interest from Coventry City, and there are still a few rumblings about the relationship between player and manager after the unauthorised two-day trip by Lee with six team mates to Amsterdam early in the New Year.

By Elvin King

JIM Magilton, the Ipswich Town manager, today confirmed his faith in striker Alan Lee when he said: “Alan is not going anywhere.”

Lee was reported to be the subject of close season interest from Coventry City, and there are still a few rumblings about the relationship between player and manager after the unauthorised two-day trip by Lee with six team mates to Amsterdam early in the New Year.

But Magilton cleared up any doubts when he said: “Alan made a massive contribution last season with his 17 goals,” said Magilton.

“He has one year of his contract to run, and he is not going anywhere.

“I gain the impression that Alan knows this club is going somewhere - and he wants to be part of that.”

But Magilton did not rule out selling any of his squad before the new season kicks-off on August 11.

The Town boss, back from a family holiday, said: “If the telephone rings and an offer is interesting we will have to consider it whoever the player is.

“It could mean that a wheel and deal could place us in a stronger position.

“But I stress that I have had no offers - not even one phone call - for any of my squad.”

Town chief scout Steve McCall is already ensconced in his office and Magilton is expecting a number of players to be offered to Ipswich for trial.

“Steve will no doubt be getting plenty of calls and reading plenty of CV's and watching plenty of DVD's,” said Magilton.

“We picked up Sylvain Legwinski that way 12 months ago, so will be offering trials to those who we think are worth looking at from home or abroad.”

Magilton has confirmed that he will be looking to loan out some of his promising youngsters next season with Sammy Moore, Michael Synott, Liam Trotter and Chris Casement likely to be on their way out of the building for a designated period in 2007/08.

“I have had one or two phone calls already about our youngsters,” said Magilton.

Striker Robbie Simpson, who Magilton expressed an interest in, has been transferred from Conference Cambridge United to Championship Coventry City for £200,000.