Mick says Poom's going nowhere

Mick McCarthy has dismissed speculation that keeper Mart Poom was being tracked by Southampton with a view to a transfer in January.

Commenting on the stories which emerged at the weekend, McCarthy said "I saw the story about Poomy and I didn't understand it - I'm sure I would know something about it if it was true."

And he reiterated his recent statement, made at the last "Meet Mick" night, that he would do everything he could to keep the current squad together.

"We are no longer in a position now where if a club came in for one of my players he would have to go. Nobody has said to me that a player will have to be sold when the transfer window opens again in January. That is not the situation here now, far from it.

"The players who are here now are here to stay and if there was an offer, the decision would be mine."