New Town loan keeper Mike Pollitt has revealed that he turned down the chance to join Crystal Palace to move to Portman Road. The Wigan stopper agreed a month's loan yesterday and will arrive in Suffolk on Friday ahead of Sunday's derby at home to Norwich City.

Pollitt, who is expected to start against the Canaries, told the club site: "The manager at Wigan, Paul Jewell, told me that Ipswich were interested at the start of the week and I jumped at the chance of coming here.

"Crystal Palace were also on the phone with an enquiry, but I had a gut feeling that Ipswich was the right choice for me.

"I've played a couple of times at Portman Road with Rotherham so I know what a great place it is to play football and what a great tradition the club has.

"I also had a chat with Alan Lee, who I know from our days together at Rotherham, and he had only positive things to say about the club, so I'm looking forward to it."

Pollit, 34, says he will do anything he can to aid Shane Supple and Lewis Price's progress in his time at Portman Road: "I know the two young keepers have done well here and if I can help them in any way while I'm here, I'll be delighted to do that.

"I have played more than 500 first team games and I like to think that I've got something that I can pass on to the two lads."

Pollitt has been out of the first team picture at the JJB Stadium since the summer recruitment of Chris Kirkland.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls