Sir Bobby made a £3million double bid for Bent and Darren Ambrose after the Tractor Boys went into administration in January but the offer was rejected, although they were later forced to sell us Ambrose.
Sheepshanks insists that he has no intention of letting Bent follow the well trodden path from Portman Road to St James’ Park, although he conceded that the club’s financial troubles may mean they are powerless to prevent it.
"There has been no new bid for Darren, and I would be very surprised if there were to be one," he told the East Anglian Daily Times.
"While we can never guarantee young players like Darren will never be sold due to our position we have no intention of letting any of them go.
"On the contrary, Joe Royle is looking to build the team around these youngsters."