Bruce denies any move to sign Martyn

BIRMINGHAM manager Steve Bruce has dismissed reports linking him with a move for Leeds goalkeeper Nigel Martyn and insists he wants Ian Bennett to stay at St Andrews. Bruce has been linked with a move for Martyn who is second choice at Elland Road behind Paul Robinson.

But the Blues manager is not keen on Martyn as he would prefer to keep Bennett, who recently had his testimonial match against Jamaica at St Andrews.

Bruce dismissed the links to Martyn, saying: “It’s a load of nonsense, absolute rubbish.”

Bruce has offered Bennett a two-year contract but, as the Blues boss has been linked with a move for Manchester United’s Roy Carroll, Bennett is weighing up an offer from Ipswich.

With Nico Vaesen out until December with an injury, Bennett could become third choice if Bruce signs another keeper.

Meanwhile, Bolton have agreed a three-year deal to bring Greek international Stylianos Giannakopoulos to the Reebok Stadium. The highly-rated 28-year-old midfielder turned down an offer to stay with his current club Olympiakos and will join Bolton on July 1.

Giannakopoulos has been capped 17 times for Greece and his 13 goals helped Olympiakos clinch their domestic title last season.

Giannakopoulos will link up with his new team-mates for pre-season training in July and is looking forward to testing himself in the English top flight.

Newcastle boss Bobby Robson could be ready to stage another raid on former club Ipswich in a bid to finally get his hands on striker Darren Bent.

United tried to land the 19-year-old when they swooped for Darren Ambrose in January, but having managed to persuade the midfielder that his future lay on Tyneside, his team-mate decided to stay put.

But with Town due to come out of administration early next month and needing to address their debt problems, it is understood the Magpies may have another go.

The speedy Bent scored 18 goals for Ipswich last season as they narrowly missed out on the Division One play-offs. United believe they could land him for a similar figure to the one they paid for Ambrose, around stg£1.5million, and hope his fellow 19-year-old’s presence at St James’ Park may prove useful.

It has been revealed United defender Jonathan Woodgate will face no charges over an incident at a Teesside pub. The England international was interviewed by police following an allegation by a teenager, who later withdrew his complaint.