Town are set to sign Hearts central midfielder Ryan Stevenson on what's reported to be a three-year deal. News of the Blues' interest broke in Scotland overnight with a fee of £50,000 agreed for the 27-year-old, who we understand will be at the club today for talks and a look around.

Irvine-born Stevenson played youth football with Ayr United and Chelsea, staying in the same apartment block as John Terry when making regular trips south to train with the Premier League side.

In 2002 he moved on to St Johnstone where he made the breakthrough into first team football, before returning to Ayr United, initially on loan, in 2006.

The 5ft 11in tall midfielder, who can also play up front, moved to Hearts for an undisclosed fee in February 2010 and since then has made 47 starts and 20 sub appearances, scoring 11 goals. His contract is up at the end of June.

In December, after Hearts failed to pay their players’ wages, he asked for his contract to be terminated. This was refused but he told the club he wouldn’t play or train until he had been paid, citing stress on his unborn child amongst the reasons for his decision.

A Scotland call-up in November but without winning a cap, much-tattooed Stevenson was linked with Bristol City last month, while League Two Crawley had a bid rebuffed a week ago.

Stevenson, who would appear to be the type of player to replace Keith Andrews's goals in the Blues' midfield, is understood to have flown south to speak to the club this morning but it's unlikely that a deal will be completed until Monday. We understand Town made their offer to Hearts as recently as yesterday.

Meanwhile, Leicester boss Nigel Pearson says central defender Sean St Ledger is off the transfer list after breaking back into the Foxes side in recent weeks after a fall-out over Christmas: "He is fine and there is no rift. I am delighted with his performances. Is he off the transfer list? Yes, why not!"

Elsewhere, Town target Murray Wallace is interviewed in this morning's HeraldScotland. Town fans can catch Wallace in action for Falkirk against Celtic in the Communities League Cup semi-final on Sunday afternoon (2.55pm, BBC1 Scotland, Sky channel 971).

And in Ireland, ex-Blues midfielder Colin Healy is tipped to return to his old club Cork City, who are one of the clubs targeting Shane O'Connor. Both players recently had their Town contracts terminated by mutual consent.

Photo: Action Images

glenwarner1977 added 13:48 - Jan 28 would you give Jewell more than 50k i know i wouldnt
0

budgieplucker added 13:50 - Jan 28 Make you own minds up but dont judge him to soon is all I say. Somebody could say to my previous post that Tamas Priskin was a hungarian international and scored international goals, This goal was scored a year ago against Celtic and his recent form earned him a call up to the full Scotland squad. Priskin cost us 1.7 million. In comparison the cost of this player probably equates to a couple of months of Grant Leadbitters wages and can you see Grant scoring goals like these. I personally think he is worth a risk at this price. www.youtube.com/watch?v=3P83OsptFmI

0

righty added 13:54 - Jan 28 for gods sake we need defenders you lot also said football north of the border was rubbish now we sign one its great you should of seen his against alloa oh great I dont think typical Jewell cant blame Clegg for this although he is still an idiot
0

beerhelps added 13:56 - Jan 28 Hmmm...never heard of him, but then I'd never heard of Paul Marnier, Bryan Hamilton, Jason De Vos, Matt Holland etc before they arrived. Lets hope he turns out like them! Lets also hope he is hungry and driven to do well, as we seem to have plenty of overpaid, under performing, baggage ladden prima donnas on the pay role. Lets hope this is the first, not the last, arrival this week!

0

beerhelps added 13:56 - Jan 28 Hmmm...never heard of him, but then I'd never heard of Paul Marnier, Bryan Hamilton, Jason De Vos, Matt Holland etc before they arrived. Lets hope he turns out like them! Lets also hope he is hungry and driven to do well, as we seem to have plenty of overpaid, under performing, baggage ladden prima donnas on the pay role. Lets hope this is the first, not the last, arrival this week!

0

Guthrum added 13:56 - Jan 28 Leadbitter is messing about refusing to sign a new contract. Would you be happy if we waited until the summer to replace him? Andrews' loan has finished and we're missing his goals. This bloke has a record of one-in-six from midfield (we have had strikers with worse records than that). He can also fill in up front. He comes from a team sitting 4th in the SPL and which finished 3rd last season (top of the non-Old-Firm). He's wanting to move to a club with financial stability who're going to pay his wages on time (we've never been accused of not doing that). He's in his footballing prime, age-wise. The transfer fee is very reasonable. What's not to like?

0

TractorBoy666 added 13:59 - Jan 28 Yeah that's it Jewell get the Scottish players in! If Celtic were given a chance to go in the English league, they would finish no higher than mid table in the Championship. So it shows how good this player is going to be.
0

Buryblueboy added 14:00 - Jan 28 Has anyone thought this might be the first of a few signings we are going to make and perhaps this one will occur quicker as they don't appear to be haggling or having an agent who is trying to squeeze obscene wages from us. We all know that defenders are a priority (i'm sure Jewell recognises this even more than others on here who want to point out the obvious), and here's hoping we tie a couple down by Tuesday; however we also have a pressing issue of so many players out of contract in the summer so perhaps this is a bit more of a thinking for the longer term rather than just the short term which has been our moans all too often in the past. In terms of why havent we made any signings yet... some people need to appreciate as much as we love the club it probably is proving to be quite difficult to get people in as players might wish to see who else is coming in for them rather than automatically signing for a team 20th in the championship (and the only ones who probably would jump at coming straight away are those who are offered the big money wages they so desperately chase). Also, for the 'fans' who think we are just going to sign players straight away it is worth remembering that the most transfers completed by any club in the premiership is 3, and i'm sure they are a more attractive option than us currently! I personally will give anyone a chance to play for this club if they show they have desire etc so i hope others are prepared to give him (or anyone else we do actually capture) a chance. COYB

0

wherescounago added 14:56 - Jan 28 I can't get too excited about this one. Scottish football is poor, he's 27 and not made an impact anywhere as far as I can see. Looks like another journeyman midfielder and will probably be as useful as that other Scottish export we have on loan!!!!!! When are we going to pay some decent money for good defenders????
0

jambofaefife added 14:58 - Jan 28 At long last Hearts have got rid of the tatoo'd one. Pretty average player but good work rate. Ipswich had better pay him lots of pennies to keep his bossy missus happy and pay his high car payments, if not he will going running to the press and make up stories. Once he was routed as the source for lots of leaked stories and out of the dressing room, Hearts team spirit and on the park results improved big time. When he kisses the badge do not believe him.

0

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 15:00 - Jan 28 I wouldn't call asking for your contract to be terminated because you're not getting paid being disruptive. I have a feeling he'll do well for us. I'm sure he'll put in the effort, which is a good start. Let's at least give him a chance. Welcome to Portman Road, Ryan!
0

CGH added 15:21 - Jan 28 Why are people getting so annoyed at this signing? If bids were put in for 5 players, 3 of which are defenders, what does it matter that this is the one at its most advanced stage. If Pearce, Ward, Walker and Henderson had already come in you'd all be happy with the signing,
0

alfromcol added 15:24 - Jan 28 He's not signed yet!
0

bringbackthedutch added 15:31 - Jan 28 Can't believe we haven't prised that kid from Crewe. They need the dosh and why would you rather be playing away at Barnet today when you could be playing against West Ham at Portman Road on Tuesday? Still no defenders on the actual radar as opposed to the rumour mill. Sigh! At least this Hearts guy can run.
0

alfromcol added 15:36 - Jan 28 No wonder the price is cheap, he is out of contract in May and is currently on strike! See The Daily Record at http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/hearts/2012/01/24/hearts-outcast-ryan-
0

NB72 added 15:42 - Jan 28 Most of you people who can do nothing else but complain in here: You are a dicgrace. You are just poor excuses for fans, acting like small children. Give the guy a chance, will you?! I feel sorry for you, som much bitterness and hate. You guys must have miserable lives.
0

righty added 15:52 - Jan 28 NB72 your a fool if you cant tell this is a crazy deal totally useless Jewell out he has not got a clue and nor have no wonder the clubs in the state it is with supporters like
0

floridaboy added 16:21 - Jan 28 Well if he signs and I hope he does he will soon notice that there are many so called supporters of this club who are totally clueless and who probably spend their Saturday afternoons getting excigted over the antics of the has beens on Soccer Saturday!! Really hope he proves everyone wrong
0

s6blue added 16:22 - Jan 28 great set of tatts
0

Kuqicoo added 16:28 - Jan 28 How is this a crazy deal when you've never seen the guy kick a ball! That's just plain daft. The club Isn't in a state cos some of us are willing to give players a chance. Of course we are meant to go out and spend 3 or 4 million on each player aren't we..as we are so rich. Wake up and get real. I for one am happy to this guy a chance. Don't think you're high and mighty and a better supporter cos youre not.

0

alfromcol added 16:28 - Jan 28 righty You state "NB72 your a fool if you cant tell this is a crazy deal totally useless Jewell out he has not got a clue and nor have no wonder the clubs in the state it is with supporters like..." If you are so clever, what makes this a 'crazy deal'? Easy to make snide comments about other posters without substantiating your view.
0

TractorBeezer added 16:34 - Jan 28 Well we have the usual assortment of responses on here. Thanks to those that are thoughtful and researched....including Tarrico_Fan. I have to agree that the priority is for defenders but if we are rebuilding the team we need to be looking at other positions at the same time especially when circumstances present us with a good opportunity. To EatonBlue...how about another Billy Baxter? To Nigel Pearson....Meanwhile, Leicester boss Nigel Pearson says central defender Sean St Ledger is off the transfer list after breaking back into the Foxes side in recent weeks after a fall-out over Christmas: "He is fine and there is no rift. I am delighted with his performances. Is he off the transfer list? Yes, why not!"....Why not? Because you agreed to a deal. Much will be revealed next week. It's not dull being a Tractor Boy!

0

northstand78 added 16:48 - Jan 28 I hope this guy does really well. I saw the goal that dozzells bobblehat put on here and i know the oposition weren't much but we'd be raving if that was a someone from league 1 or 2. Give him a break and see what happens
0

dirtydingusmagee added 17:10 - Jan 28 hasnt this transfer window been exciting ! its certainly had me on the edge of my bog seat .
0

Bergholtblue added 17:10 - Jan 28 I can't understand the negative comments about the lad. Noone has seen him play in a blue shirt yet! Yes, we are desperate for defenders. Yes, a new keeper would be good (go and get Scott Loach from Watford, the lad would jump at the chance to come here). That doesn't mean we should should ignore a bargain when we see one. £50,000 is peanuts this day and age and he could well turn out to be the bargain of the season. We have replaced the hole left by Keith Andrews now lets go and get some Centre Backs

0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls