IPSWICH chairman David Sheepshanks has rejected suggestions that Middlesbrough are tracking Matt Holland.

The £10m-rated Republic of Ireland international is among a number of midfielders linked with a move to the Riverside.

Relegated Ipswich are aiming to off-load five players to cushion the financial impact of losing their Premiership status.

But Sheepshanks insists that Holland is not one of them. He said: "There's no truth whatsoever in the story about Matt and Middlesbrough.

"We have had no approach from them or any other club in recent times. I can only reiterate that we do not want to sell Matt Holland.''

With Muzzy Izzet's agent, Jonathan Barnett, having confirmed that Boro had failed with a reduced offer for the £6m-rated Leicester midfielder, the Teessiders are running out of options in their search for reinforcements following the departures this week of Paul Ince and Robbie Mustoe.

Boro manager Steve McClaren could now focus his attention on Aston Villa's George Boateng, but won't pay the £7m asking price.

Villa boss Graham Taylor held clear-the-air talks with Boateng, but said: "George has reiterated his desire to leave the club and we will consider very seriously any appropriate offer made by other clubs.''

* Boro yesterday announced that mobile phone specialists Dial-a-Phone are the club's new shirt sponsors in a multi-million pound, three-year deal.

* Boro remind supporters of today's 4pm deadline for season ticket renewals. The Riverside Stadium ticket office is open from 9.30am to 4pm.

* Birmingham City have suffered another defensive blow with the news that skipper and experienced defender Steve Vickers will miss the start of the season through injury.

The former Boro player has been forced to undergo knee surgery in a bid to cure a patella tendon problem.

He will now undergo rehabilitation work but could be out of action until the end of August or even mid-September.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.