Paul Jewell open to David Norris Ipswich Town exit

Norris joined Ipswich from Plymouth in January 2008

Ipswich Town boss Paul Jewell says he would not stand in the way of David Norris if he wanted to leave the club.

Portsmouth manager Steve Cotteril had told BBC Radio Solent the Town captain was eager to join Pompey this January.

But Jewell has insisted the 29-year-old has not voiced a desire to quit Portman Road, telling BBC Radio Suffolk: "It's news to me.

"If he wants to leave Ipswich Town and it's right - and that goes for any player - then they can do it."

Norris, who is one of over 20 Ipswich players out of contract in six months, has made little progress in securing a new deal with Town after opening talks in November.

And after his side's 2-2 draw with Leeds on Saturday, Cotterill said: "We know that David Norris wants to join us.

"So we are hoping that maybe that one will get sorted out, maybe within the next week.

"It went public, for sure it came out their end, it never came out from us.

"I've only had a conversation with the manager, David Lampitt [Portsmouth chief executive] had a conversation with their chief executive.

"We know how it came out, maybe that was to drum up a bit of interest somewhere else."

But Jewell has vowed to fight to keep hold of the midfielder.

"I've seen David Norris in training Monday morning and he didn't tell me he wants to leave," he said.

606: DEBATE

I'd like to see us get Norris, O'Neil on loan, Kapo and Aliadiere on frees

PompeyCharizard

"If he wants to leave Ipswich Town and it's right - and that goes for any player - then they can do it.

"But I don't want them to leave, I want Dave to stay. It's not a great situation, inheriting so many players who are out of contract.

"When a new manager comes to a club he has so many things to do and that's one of the things on the agenda, but so is winning matches.

"We've got a game tomorrow and after that I'm going to sit down with the owner to see where we go from here."

Norris has featured 27 times this season, scoring seven goals and picking up nine bookings along the way.

He has made a total of 91 league appearances for Town since joining from Plymouth three years ago, and Cotterill confirmed he is working bring him to Fratton Park.