Defender Alex Bruce has confirmed that Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson wants to sign him on a permanent basis. Bruce spent the second half of the season on loan at the Walkers Stadium having fallen out of favour at Portman Road.

Bruce said: “I have spoken to the manager and he said he would like to do something, so I will have to wait and see.

"There are a few hurdles to overcome and a lot will depend on how much Ipswich ask for me.

"I hope they do get something sorted but, if they don't, I will knuckle down at Ipswich and win my place back."

The Blues are likely to want a fee somewhere around the £250,000 mark for the Republic of Ireland international, who has another year left on his contract.

Bruce’s probable exit is likely to see Town look for another central defender during the close season as there is currently no experienced right-sided centre-half cover for first choice Gareth McAuley.

The Northern Irishman could also leave Portman Road this summer with Bolton Wanderers and Rangers understood to be showing interest in the 30-year-old.

Photo: Action Images

tractorboynathan added 10:10 - Jun 2 Yes please! 2k would do for me.
0

blue_em_away added 10:10 - Jun 2 Keep him. He's worth more than 250k. RK should teach him the holding midfield role, I think that could work for him. Make him more versitile to boot....
0

rubberblood added 10:13 - Jun 2 I dont think he has enough CHARACTER for Keane
0

HighgateBlue added 10:14 - Jun 2 I'd take £250k if that's on the table. But if we sell, we have to bring in a player who's significantly better. Last year we spent a lot on certain players who were no better than what we had. I appreciate that hindsight is a wonderful thing... Re: "blue em away", it''s an interesting idea, but I think we have enough in the central midfield department.
0

Gary added 10:17 - Jun 2 Simply not good enough, if only he was as good as his Dad!! Surprised really that Leicester want him. Like his commitment but that alone doesn't make you decent enough. McAuley has had a good season but he's hardly top notch, but is still twice the player of Bruce, which really says it all.
0

blue_em_away added 10:22 - Jun 2 HighgateBlue.... Yeah we do, but I think the guy has much more than 250k in him. Can't see us getting better unless we pay silly money. We wasted enough money last season on dross. It wouldn't break the bank to hang on to a player IMO has something, and is a good squad player. If they want him it should be 750k
0

Deanoipswich4ever added 10:24 - Jun 2 i think ipswich should keep bruce he's a gd defender just what we need at the mo, so i don't think keane should sell bruce. :)
0

hampstead_blue added 10:34 - Jun 2 why get rid of a useful coveing player? what can you get for 250k as a replacement? seems daft to let him go even if he isn't quite the first team banker we need.
0

mickeyjb added 10:36 - Jun 2 He wasn't that bad when he was made captain during the dark days early on in the season
0

PimsNumber1 added 10:38 - Jun 2 he should only go if they pay 500k for him. he isnt great BUT who can we get better for that money or less ? No one probably. Keane has been slow getting new guys in and Im afraid i have little faith in his judgement either to recruit better than we have already.
0

Gary added 10:42 - Jun 2 Would you rather a defender valued at £250k in the squad offering little other than a replacement when McAuley misses the odd game, or a youngster like Eastman gaining valuable experience and pushing on. No one seems to be fussed with Tommy Smith being back up for Delaney.
0

Seasonticketsteve added 10:55 - Jun 2 Think Bruce is worth more than £250k if I am honest but am not going to be overly fussed if he leaves, I still think Delaney is by far our best central defended-he hardly ever misses a header when playing the stopper and would be more gutted if he left rather than say Bruce or Macualey. I think Jay demerit is on a free signing, would be a good signing for cover and has plenty of international and championship experience and wouldnt break the bank.

0

StowTractorBoy added 11:18 - Jun 2 Gives you 100% effort but too prone to errors and in my opinion not even a good cover player. We have Tommy Smith maturing all the time but we do need cover on the right side as well. I'd be happy with anything over £200K and getting another high earner off the payroll. Midfield holding player a good shout but Brucey needs a fresh start and good luck to him.
0

joeippy01 added 11:31 - Jun 2 letting go of out BEST defender not a good move, i dont see we he got loaned out he probally questioned keane in training so got shipped out. keanes attitude with handling players stinks and we need a new man in charge if we are gonig to move forward. (an unhappy town fan).
0

Notts_tractor added 11:35 - Jun 2 Looked really nervy for Leicester v Cardiff and gave away pen. can't understand why they want him. I'd take quarter mill for him.
0

Paulc added 12:36 - Jun 2 Can't fault his commitment but that's not nearly enough. He makes too many mistakes and is hardly a player you could build your team round. As for Blue-em-away's comments, you are right to say we should be asking for more like £750k, but as fo making him a holding midfield player, that i'm afraid is the funniest thing i have heard this close season so far.......he couldn't hold his breath let alone a midfield.

0

ITFC1985 added 12:36 - Jun 2 get rid, liability when he plays,has alot of heart and commitment but just isnt good enough for us
0

TrumptonBlue added 13:34 - Jun 2 "as fo making him a holding midfield player, that i'm afraid is the funniest thing i have heard this close season so far.......he couldn't hold his breath let alone a midfield." Did you miss his Town debut, then?
0

kerryblue added 13:34 - Jun 2 We all know he is a poor enough player and prone to many mistakes but 250,000 ????At least twice that Id say.
0

Paulc added 13:39 - Jun 2 one game, well judged!
0

TrumptonBlue added 13:44 - Jun 2 Indeed. One out of one. Is the idea of him playing there really the funniest thing you've heard this season?
0

TrumptonBlue added 13:44 - Jun 2 * close season
0

Blueknight85 added 13:44 - Jun 2 blue em away he was no good in the holding midfield role when he first came here under magilton and we have 2 players atleast who can do it better than him i would take 200k or what ever i could get
0

TrumptonBlue added 13:47 - Jun 2 No good? http://www.twtd.co.uk/news.php?storyid=9962 "with Alex Bruce doing well behind him mopping up in front of the back four" "Alex Bruce was the more impressive of the two new signings" That looked good, that Bruce-Williams midfield, but I don't think Magilton pursued it. Still, I don't think Bruce in midfield is a goer given the other options available, but the suggestion wasn't that ridiculous.

0

Paulc added 13:56 - Jun 2 No, you're right that wasn't the funniest the thing i've heard this season. But the fact that you continue to base your argument on 1 performance is!
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls