Ipswich Town have rejected claims midfielder Martijn Reuser is on the verge of a switch to the Premiership with Sunderland.

Reuser was last week handed a free transfer by Ipswich in a bid to lessen their wage bill before the close of the transfer window.

The 27-year-old is one of the highest paid players at Portman Road, but may not agree a move before the 31 January deadline.

A spokesman for the club said: "The stories in the newspapers are all speculation.

If he doesn't move before the deadline, Martijn will be in contention for a first-team place here Ipswich Town manager Joe Royle

"Sunderland have made no contact with us over Martijn. There has been no interest in any player at the club at the moment."

Reuser was the fourth player put on the transfer list last week to ease the club's financial struggles. He joined Justin Miller, Lee Beevers and Steve Burton.

But the Dutchman has made only two appearances for the first team this season following knee surgery in September, with Darren Ambrose and Darren Bent moving ahead of him in the team pecking order.

The former Ajax player made 77 appearances for Ipswich, 35 of them as substitute, scoring 13 goals.

Ipswich manager Joe Royle warned the player's options were now limited.

He told the club's official website: "Making the decision now to let Martijn go on a free gives him a few days to find a club and it would probably have to be a Premiership side or one from abroad because of the wages.

"But if he doesn't move before the deadline, then Martijn will be in contention for a first-team place here just like the rest of the players."