Royle to Listen to Offers for Strike Duo

Last updated : 11 June 2004 By Site Editor
ITFM exclusively revealed some months ago that Counago who joined Town from Spanish side Celta Vigo in the Summer of 2000 was set to leave Portman Road after his comebacks from injury were mysteriously delayed on a number of occasions with statements from the club that did not always add up.

Now Town boss Joe Royle has revealed that the club are set to listen to offers for both Spaniard Counago and the returning Marcus Bent after his loan spell at relegated Leicester City due to their current wages at the cub.

"Marcus is registered with us now and if the situation remains as it is, he will be back with the rest of the squad for training at the end of this month." he told the Official Club Website.

"But as one of the top wage earners at the Club there is no disguising the fact that if the right offer came in for him we would have to listen. That also applies to Pablo, another of the higher earners while Martijn Reuser has been available on a free for while now."

Royle also confirmed should either Martijn Reuser, Pablo Counago, Marcus Bent or all three go, he will has a list drawn up of players who he wants to bring in to the club: "I have players in mind should Jermaine Wright leave and the same should Pablo and Marcus go.

"If Pablo and Marcus are with us next season, there will be no need to bring in a new front player."

Should only one of Marcus and Pablo go it will leave Town still with four strikers on their books, and with a new addition to the squad, it's likely that one of these is going to find it hard to get involved in first team action, therefore it may be in both Pablo's and Marcus' interests to leave Portman Road for pastures new.