Town chairman David Sheepshanks says he believes money was the key to keeper Richard Wright turning down the Blues in favour of a move to West Ham. The 29-year-old looked all set to return to Town until his switch to the Hammers was announced on Wednesday.

Sheepshanks said: “We are disappointed Richard chose not to join us but recognise that extra money for sitting on the bench at Upton Park must be more appealing than the opportunity to feature regularly for you home town team.”

Boss Jim Magilton must now decide whether to target another senior keeper or stick with Lewis Price and Shane Supple. Even prior to his interest in Wright, Magilton had brought in Jaroslav Drobný on a short-term deal and Mike Pollitt on loan, so the addition of a more senior glovesman over the summer still looks to be on the cards.

Meanwhile, Sheepshanks appears to be increasingly frustrated at the lack of movement on the Franny Jeffers transfer. Negotiations with Blackburn Rovers are continuing and the chairman is still confident of eventually reaching a positive conclusion: “We remain hopeful but we can't allow it to go on indefinitely.”

Elsewhere, Malcolm Christie, one of Jim Magilton's potential alternatives to Jeffers, is set to join Stoke City on a free transfer. Christie was released by Middlesbrough at the end of the season.

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