Town boss Paul Jewell says he is hopeful of completing the signing of Leicester central defender Sean St Ledger today. The deal is likely to be on the basis of an initial loan with a view to a permanent deal in the summer.

Jewell says that long-time target St Ledger was hesitating over the move last night having agreed personal terms before receiving reassurance from Blues owner Marcus Evans: “We tried to get him in the summer when Leicester were blowing everyone out of the water.

“Everything’s agreed between the two clubs. I spoke to his agent when I was on the way to Arsenal last night and he said ‘Everything’s fine, but the only thing is, and I don’t want to be funny, he’s just concerned that you’re going to lose your job’.

“When I was on the phone to him, Marcus was also ringing me. I said that Marcus has only ever given me positive pointers and when I’d put the phone down, I took Marcus’s call, told him about the conversation and Marcus said he’d ring him up and put him right, and Marcus put him right.

“I spoke to Sean St Ledger after that and he said ‘I hope you don’t think I was being rude, I went to Middlesbrough and the manager lost his job, went to Leicester and the same thing happened’. I said ‘You know what Sean, maybe I shouldn’t be thinking about signing you!”

He says the Blues are now expecting a call confirming that the Ireland international wants to join, although they are aware that there are other clubs also interested: “We’re just waiting him on getting back to us, he’s got one or two other irons in the fire, but hopefully we’ll get a positive answer from him today, if not we move on. But hopefully we’ll get something done there.”

Jewell says it’s unlikely the deal will be done in time for the 27-year-old to play at Birmingham tomorrow: “We’d like to but I think there’s a 12 o’clock deadline today, so we’re not sure.”

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

paul73 added 18:47 - Jan 10 Jacob butterfield will sign for town from barnsley...that I am assured.!!
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h32 added 18:47 - Jan 10 ........ Guess that's why we are the laughing stock of East Anglia and beyond, right now. Thoroughly deserved too.
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h32 added 18:50 - Jan 10 WoodfordTim - don't ask the people supposedly running the show - they wouldn't remotely know.
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del45 added 18:58 - Jan 10 6-55 still not signed do you think he will come here????????
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paulnstar added 19:01 - Jan 10 he will goto leeds
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Keaneish added 19:03 - Jan 10 Also, it's a fairly sad indictment of the state of our football club that we were second choice to Leicester who St Ledger chose to sign for over us knowing there may be periods on the bench given the defenders they bought and he chose this over regular first team selection with us. Now he doesn't want to sign perm in case we go down (reading between the lines!). Sonko and St. ledger, both right footers playing at the back - this doesn't feel like the right partnership to me. Anyone else? It smacks of desperation to me and I still can't believe our scouting network can't unearth anything other than this deal and a loan goalkeeper!! These reasons are why I'm not greeting this signing with open arms.

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tearle1974 added 19:16 - Jan 10 Oh bugger we are keeping Jewell, However it's very funny that when sky news was speaking to Niel Warnock today. Warnock replied i am of to Cornwall ready to drive my tractor????? Ooooh does that give us a hint that when Jewell goes Warnock will be driving in on his tractor????? however if this signing comes off it will be great but a few months too late and yes why why why another loan. Just sign him up. Grrrrrr

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h32 added 19:20 - Jan 10 Keaneish - none of the 'powers that be' of the Club would have realised that Sonko and St Ledger are both right footed - now that would be expecting far too much of them. Jewell may have realised that after their first game together. We cannot expect too much from this man - it's not there.
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J45 added 19:35 - Jan 10 I dont know what to make of this signing he is a good player but it is yet again on a loan deal. Also what has happend to keith Andrews? Does anyone know what is going on with him? But looks like jewell is here to stay so lets get behind him and not kep moaning. COYB!!!!
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neillrumsey added 19:37 - Jan 10 Jewell will be shown the door after defeat tomorrow. Stats don't lie. Keano was poor but his team had a little more desire than the current bunch. We're a shambles
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Tractamatt added 19:40 - Jan 10 This whole thing smacks of the Austen fiasco, we are good for something and thats getting players deals improved at other clubs. We're gonna get beat easily at Birmingham and that if there is any justice in the world should see the end of Jewell.
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TimmyH added 19:41 - Jan 10 hhhmm not sure about this signing, doesn't even reguarly start for Leicester - hopefully while he's here our scouts (he said) will be surfing league 1/2 for promising talent, I was going to say 'younger' in that statement but unbelievably he's only 27!!
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WarkyWonderLand added 20:09 - Jan 10 Have been going to PR since 1980 and he is by far the worst manager in that time. Football was bad under Ferguson, Duncan and mcgivern but jewell beats them. Was on the pitch to protest against Duncan and if the scouse comedian is here Saturday everyone who doesn't want him make your voices heard. 2 heavy defeats and we could be bottom 3 come Saturday. We the fans who pay well earned money deserve better and we are being taken for a ride.

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truthhurts added 20:17 - Jan 10 I've earlier been criticised for daring to turn up to games rather than 'jump ship'. To those people, I fully agree that the price of going is stupidly high, and that results and/or performances have been desperate. But what else is a fan meant to do when their team is playing on a saturday afternoon (or any other random times nowadays)? h32 - Ok. Can this stay sensible for a minute? Don't going implying I 'lack ambition' for simply wanting to support my own club, how's that wrong? Without being sarcastic can we hear your suggestions on what you think needs to be done then, as you don't actually make any points - just rants. I think we ALL want more of our youth players to be given a chance or, failing that, buy up-and-coming players from lower league clubs. Cresswell has been a fine example of this. I realise Jewell has the power to change this - as he is the current manager - but, to be fair, Keane never gave youngsters a proper go either. Not saying two wrongs make a right, just that Jewell isn't alone. h32 - I'm actually, and honestly, wanting to hear your genuine thoughts. We are all, afterall, fans of ITFC aren't we?

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MickMillsTash added 20:17 - Jan 10 He still hasn't signed and surely we would have been doing everything to get him in before tomorrows game - given the prospect of Sonko and Smith making Mark Fish look good.
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alfromcol added 20:29 - Jan 10 truthhurts Me too. Step up h45 and give us some of your wisdom. We wait with bated breath
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richnblue added 20:39 - Jan 10 So, it's now 20.37pm Tuesday evening. That didn't happen then.... wonder were he will turn up tomorrow....? How's that song go? Things can only get better....May be the tune for Portman Road....Head in hands now..
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suffolkpunchdrunk added 20:44 - Jan 10 The lack of positive news out of Portman Road today speaks volumes about the lack of ability this club has to attract barely half decent players to sign for it. So painful to watch this fine club disintegrate. I just hope that by some miracle ITFC survives this shambolic leadership and remains a championship club beyond the end of this season.
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lezoad added 20:44 - Jan 10 STOP SIGNING LOAN PLAYERS AND BUY SOMEONE! good defender who Leicester don't want just buy him!
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Tractastic added 20:46 - Jan 10 With no permanent signings imminent and St Ledger now clearly a maybe my gut feeling is that ME is finally running out of patience with PJ and not prepared to let him spend his money. Like many people who post on this site i think Jewell is possibly the worst manager we have had for decades and i'm sure ME must be thinking of a change soon. If i was the owner and seriously backed the manager i would ensure Portman Road was absolutely packed and therefore for the next 2 home games offer all seats at £10 and get the fans to lift the roof off Portman Road and totally lift the players. Will this happen? Unlikely.And my gut feeling is that Jewell is being left out to dry and will either resign or be sacked within the next 3 games. ME is a very shrewd business and must be looking at what O'Neil has done with Sunderland with the same team and think Warnock could do the same with Town? Just a thought. COYB's.

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itfc94 added 20:47 - Jan 10 @keanish mate, some of the best defence partnerships in the world consist of two right footers!! the point is completely irrelevant! your just being to critical of something and we could apply that to any other position on the field!? keith andrews, leadbitter, bullard, bowyer? all right footers... maybe i'm wrong but i think that st ledger would be good to get in on a loan with view to permanent. what if we sign this lad, and he's appauling, you'd never live it down on pj! COYB

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richnblue added 20:54 - Jan 10 I can hear the clegg excuses coming out now...??! Lets just build a football team, and one that is full of new blood, a group of players who want to pull a blue shirt on every saturday and one of permanent signings. Do we have a revolving door at the main entrance, with sign above saying short term loans this side, loans longer than 3 months this side...
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J45 added 21:03 - Jan 10 alfromcol please try spelling my name correctly and i gave my wisdom i think we should all try getting behind the manager instead of complaining when we have all been told clearly he is not going to be sacked and is a long way from it. Hopefully a good january ahead things can only get better surely. COYB!!
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WarkyWonderLand added 21:17 - Jan 10 Spot on tractastic. Oneil has not spent any money but look at impact and his enthusiam is endless. Warnock would have a similar impact I believe. Just look at his managerial record, he has been successful where ever he has been. He got the bargain of the season last year signing Jamie Mackie from Plymouth for £150,000. A big week in the history of this club.
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itfcjc added 21:20 - Jan 10 He's a bit like Collins let's hope he's not past it like the rest of them
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