Worthington told the Eastern Daily Press that there was "no interest at all" in the Celtic striker, whose contract is due to expire in the summer. Bhoys chief Gordon Strachan also went on the record as saying that he was keen to keep Sutton and that the man who was once the most expensive player in British football had only been restricted by injury and not by choice to ten appearances this term. Sutton has, nevertheless, been linked with a switch to struggling Everton in this morning's papers.
Also in today's news is Dean Ashton. The City striker, who has scored four times in the last three games, is expected to be hot property during the transfer window, and has again been linked with Wigan Athletic.
Paul Jewell was rumoured to be chasing the 22-year-old in the summer, but signed Henri Camara from Southampton. He is now looking for reinforcements to cover for the Senegalese hitman during the African Nations Cup and to boost his side for the Premiership run in.
The Latics had been linked with Trabzonspor's Fatih Tekke, but have now decided not to pursue their interest. According to the Daily Star, they are now preparing a £7million bid for Ashton.
Worthington is unlikely to personally rebuff every link, but yesterday, in the light of a rumoured bid from Charlton, he stressed how keen he was to keep hold of his players and augment the squad as the side push towards the play off places.
“It's the time of the football season for speculation and rumours and I have got no intention of adding fuel to the fire,” he told the EDP. “I'll leave it at speculation and go from there.
“The boy is contracted to us and I'm looking to add players to the group rather than dismantle it. All I can do is wait and see what happens in January.”