TWTD understands that Jimmy Bullard will be leaving the Blues before the start of the season. The 33-year-old midfielder has been on the periphery all pre-season and has been left out of the squad for the last two friendlies against West Ham and Colchester, while reports over the weekend indicated that the Blues were looking to offload the one-time England call-up.

Speaking after last night's 2-1 victory at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, manager Paul Jewell said: "At the moment, he's not in the squad, it's as simple as that.

"There are no untoward reasons, I just don't see the point of him sitting on a bench and getting 10-15 minutes."

He added: "Jimmy wants to play football, he works ever so hard in training - at the moment it's just not happening for him."

However, it's our understanding that the midfielder's Town exit is now only a matter of time.

Bullard, understood to be the club's highest earner on wages believed to be more than £15,000-a-week, rejoined the Blues on a permanent basis just under a year ago having had his Hull City contract terminated.

The one-time Peterborough, Wigan and Fulham man had previously enjoyed a hugely successful loan spell during the second half of the 2010/11 season in which he won the Supporters' Club's Player of the Year award.

Photo: Action Images

tractorboybig added 15:53 - Aug 9 was he not suspended by this club for his off field antics last season? Sounds a bit of a plonker. Further away the better, give those trying to make a career a chance.
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Seasonticketsteve added 16:06 - Aug 9 First off, am happy to hold my hands up and say I was one of the many, many fans who wanted to sign JB after his terrific load spell. I was hoping like others that Jimmy might come good this season, I guess now we will never know. It does seem that he might be a bit of a bad apple though from everything I have read, he fell out with Hull, Fulham couldnt wait to get shot and now it looks like we are doing the same. With the whole Chopra incident last season and his wages, if we can offload him then it probably would be best all round. Use the money else where, it might allow us to bring in a loan signing and possibly sign Davies so I think a good move by Jewell and the club. Thanks for the loan spell Jimmy, especially that goal away to Cardiff-absolute cracker!

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RetroBlue added 16:17 - Aug 9 other than his time here on loan Bullard has flattered to deceive, and it is costing ITFC a packet every week just to have him at the Club. We simply cant afford this "luxury" now and his age he is past his sell by date . The future is the younger players with a sprinkling of one or two senior players that actually can play a good 60% of the fixtures. Bullard wages off our wage bill frees up money and may be the difference between getting in the likes of Murphy, Davies or Wickham types of player, to say nothing if the ongoing much needed CB !

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LollITFC added 16:17 - Aug 9 Cant head, cant out pace anyone, got caught on the ball a lot last season .... is getting passed it .... anything else ??? great player once, now a liabilty .. cant believe some of you still think he can be a force for us. We are looking at pacier players, strong in the tackle, the craft will no doubt come from our Spurs loanee.
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Wickets added 16:28 - Aug 9 The sooner the better, we are learning from our mistakes,so lets move on.
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WickedBlue added 16:28 - Aug 9 Bullard a legend? That's and inst to the real legends of the club. You know the ones I am talking about the ones that pull on the shirt and would run thensves into the ground for the club. The ones that took the club to glory. When did Bullard ever do any of that? Legend he is not! What he is, is a player who did extremely well when on loan in a very poor side. Since then nothing, after all the hype all the desire from fans including me wanting him to succeed. Wanting him to actually become that legend that you so readily call him for doing nothing. Think PJ is right we can't afford to carry such an expensive player.

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alliedaz added 16:30 - Aug 9 one way he has only his self to blame for all his antics but then the other way on his day he is a good player and at the moment no one wants to come to ipswich and we cant attract any1 and this is down to evans clegg and jewell and we wanted to get a squad b4 pre season and train and look whats happened 3 players and 1 injured and loads choose to goto lower clubs
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ITFC_Frosty78 added 16:31 - Aug 9 about time he only plays when he wants a contract simple as.
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TractorBeezer added 16:32 - Aug 9 Am very disappointed with all this but let's face it most of us only know what we see on the pitch and what we read on here and other media. We have to rely on the judgment of PJ and his team who see Jimmy day in and day out and can assess his current situation including his attitude, his influence on others etc. Hopefully we can at least get some money and can off load some of his wages.

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thebeat added 16:42 - Aug 9 can i just point out to all the people saying he only played for a contract. he had 2 years left at 40k a week at hull.in his loan spell here he wasnt playing for a contract.he had an amazing one at hull.he was playing for the enjoyment of being in the team regularly in his correct position.so can we put that to bed please? at the end of the day none of us really know why it hasnt worked out.yes he was poor but yes he was played out of position.he was pants last season but he was never really given a chance either

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algarvefan added 16:43 - Aug 9 I do wish some of you would stop drinking at lunch time. The man was good 'WAS' being the operative word. He has shown no respect for the club the way he has behaved and was player of the year just to get a contract, as soon as he got one that was it. I'm bloody glad to see him gone, he's a bad example to the younger players and I'm sure Chops will be better off for not having him around. Well done PJ....onwards and upwards :-)

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MattinLondon added 16:45 - Aug 9 But in order for him to go a club has to come in for him and at £15,000 pw I don't think a lot (if any) clubs will equal what he is getting here.
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apm_77 added 16:49 - Aug 9 This is exactly why a two year contract was a very bad idea, and i said so last year. I like Bullard but it didn't work out last season and now we're stuck with a high earner we need to pay off. Jewell knows him better than anyone and if he can't get him to go beyond "training well" then he needs to answer for it.
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Tractastic added 17:12 - Aug 9 Very sad for all concerned.
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daniel9624 added 17:26 - Aug 9 Blue123 OUT! Sooooooo boring!
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CornardBlue added 17:30 - Aug 9 I along with most supporters voted JB as player of the season and wanted Town to sign him permanently. Town did this and gave him a 2 year contract on 15k a week. I for one feel he has let us all down, Hull supporters were right he is trouble and the only thing he is interseted in is the size of his wallet and ego. Problem is no one is going to pay him the wage he is on so i can see us stuck with him for the rest of the season.

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bluearmy78 added 17:34 - Aug 9 Was a quality player, but now getting on in age, who still is very injury prone. I was ecstatic when we signed him but he has been a great disappointment and he doesn't give a toss wearing the town shirt. A luxury player who I think has sadly had his day, free up the 15k a week wages 7 lets buy a couple of young players who will be happy to put in a good shift!! Bullard could make his money here & go & make some on Sky sports, yes he's a joker but he's run the club dry. He will never show the quality like he used to have.

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wrightyblue added 18:01 - Aug 9 Worst news ever! Paul jewell out ASAP! What a kn*b! And clegg!
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Taricco_Fan added 18:02 - Aug 9 The best decision for both parties really. Unfortunately Jimmy lacks the right attitude and application at this level, perhaps why he broke into professional football at such a late age. He won't be missed by me.
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BillBlue added 18:05 - Aug 9 Great news and just common sense. COYB
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 18:12 - Aug 9 If true then a real shame but probably for the best. I agree with the PJ slaters in that Jimmy was played put of position last year just in front of the defence but he looked a totally different player even with that in mind. When he came off the bench later in the season he was trying hard but he gave the ball away more than he found a blue shirt. Undoubtedly a talent but with his off the field antics if we can get him off the wage bill then i can see why. Would love him to end up staying and prove me wrong however.

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JUSTLIKEBRAZIL added 18:23 - Aug 9 Added real quality when we needed saving but time to move on to pastures new.Thanks for maybe just maybe saving my beloved blues but since those heady days a real sad ending and a waste of a real talent.
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greenkingtone added 18:34 - Aug 9 Sorry boys, he is basically flawed. Pity but goodbye.
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Millsey added 18:35 - Aug 9 Was a complete waste of space last season. get rid
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manualthetisfanclub added 18:43 - Aug 9 Pj said he trains hard and just wants to play,well play him then!!!! Give him a chance,pre-season was the time to let him play and try to prove himself,what a waste!
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