Bolton boss Gary Megson has confirmed weekend reports which said defender Abdoulaye Meite had turned down the chance to join the Blues on loan until the end of the season. Meite is currently out of favour at the Reebok Stadium, having refused to play the second half of their recent game against Manchester United.

Megson said: "He had the opportunity, Abdoulaye turned it down, to go to Ipswich on loan. I would have let him go."

Today's 5pm emergency loan deadline came and went without any additions to the Town squad, despite boss Jim Magilton continuing his search for temporary signings throughout the day.

The Blues, along with other Championship clubs similarly in the hunt for new blood, found many Premier League sides unwilling to allow players to move or players themselves unwilling to drop down a division even on a temporary basis.

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