Bristol Rovers chairman Nick Higgs has denied rumours claiming manager Paul Trollope is about to leave the club. Trollope has been linked with a move to MK Dons, who will be losing Paul Ince at the end of the season - but Higgs is adamant his manager is staying at the Memorial Ground.

Bristol Rovers chairman Nick Higgs has denied rumours claiming manager Paul Trollope is about to leave the club.

Trollope has been linked with a move to MK Dons, who will be losing Paul Ince at the end of the season - but Higgs is adamant his manager is staying at the Memorial Ground.

"I don't know where this rumour has started," he said. "Paul is currently under contract here at Bristol Rovers and will be for the foreseeable future."

Higgs has spoken to Trollope, who has been with the club since 2004 when he arrived as a player.

"I've discussed this matter with Paul," said Higgs. "He confirms he's had no illegal approaches from any other club. Likewise, I've not been approached myself.

"I'm talking to him about where the future lies and where we're going. Currently he's under contract at the club. What more can you say?"

Higgs said he had held talks with Trollope and Rovers' director of football Lennie Lawrence over next season's playing budget.

"I'm waiting for Paul's final retained list," he said. "We have a number of players out of contract and I'm waiting to hear his views on those. We'll then be in a much clearer position to establish a playing budget. I'm also in discussions about where he wants to strengthen to ensure that we can continue the progress we've made."