Blues boss Paul Jewell says the injuries to Paul Taylor and Michael Chopra have given Nathan Ellington a chance to finally make an impact at Town. The 31-year-old, who Jewell confirmed was targeted by Notts County and former side Bristol Rovers during the transfer window, made his first appearance since January as a half-time sub during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Charlton.

Jewell says that Ellington, who joined Town on a free transfer last summer after leaving Watford, has never been entirely out of the picture despite a first season in which he made only three starts and 15 sub appearances without scoring.

“I’ve said before, while you’re here and you’re giving your best, you’ve always got an opportunity,” insisted the Blues boss. “His opportunities have been limited, he hasn’t been in the best of form confidence-wise in training.

“But in the last three weeks he’s seemed to have a spring in his step. His contract is up at the end of the year and I think he’s looked around and seen how difficult it is to get clubs.

“It doesn’t matter what you’ve done in the past, clubs are now cutting their cloth accordingly in a lot of areas and he needs start scoring some goals and playing some games. If that’s with us, great, if it’s somewhere else, he needs to do that for himself.”

TWTD revealed earlier in the month that Ellington was interesting League One Notts County before the window closed but Jewell says he was unwilling to allow the striker join them on trial: “There were a couple of clubs interested in him, Notts County and Bristol Rovers. Notts County wanted him on trial, but I’m not going to do that.

“He’s part of our squad, not a part-time player, he doesn’t need to go anywhere on trial and at the moment he’s not going anywhere because he’s part of our squad.”

Meanwhile, Jewell says Lee Martin's agent held further contract talks with the club recently: “I think Simon Clegg met his agent last week.”

Referring to Town's struggles and more recent speculation regarding his own future, he added: "I think contract talks are on hold!”

Photo: Action Images

bedsitfc added 06:47 - Sep 28 He needs to show what he can do if nothing else but for himself.
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flashblue added 06:50 - Sep 28 Thought he was our best striker on Saturday. I really think he and Scotland could be the answer. The dark destroyers!
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village_blue added 07:02 - Sep 28 Well on last weeks display he should be in the starting 11 on Saturday. He did more in 45 minutes than Jet has done all season.
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irishtim added 07:09 - Sep 28 Well hopefully we will be singing the Dukes praises come saturday evening. Stranger things have happened.
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walberswick added 07:10 - Sep 28 Is giving ellington a run out anything to go with PJ's managent or it it being forced on him by circumstance. Ellington is a player pj signed yet he has started 1 game in two years. he has even asked him to leave yet he may have something to give. pj, we have an ok squad we don't have a football coach, get rid of hutchings or go yourself.
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blue added 07:26 - Sep 28 NO PRESSURE then on ellington we are fighting for our lives down the bottom as chops and taylor defo not firing on all cylinders. Goodluck ellington.
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wkj added 08:24 - Sep 28 Ellington did impress me too on Saturday, I hope he has a Eureka moment for the club
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arc added 08:57 - Sep 28 I would love to see Murray given a chance; he seems to be a finisher, which is something we need right now.
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beerhelps added 09:15 - Sep 28 When Ellington signed for us I remembered the (evening?) game against Wigan, some years ago, when he teamed up with Jason Roberts. Wigan were 3-0 up after about 20 mins with both strikers ripping us apart, ball on ground, pass and move at pace. It was one of the best displays I have seen at PR. His display on Saturday showed a few glimpes of that ability, tomorrow could be a big day for him. Cometh the hour.....

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dirtydingusmagee added 09:16 - Sep 28 HA HA HA , ''he hasnt been at his best and confidence low, but now he has a spring in his step , so its nothing to do with the fact we are stuffed for strikers at mo then PJ .Still Chopra hasnt exactly set the world alight in his quest for 30 goals this season , Nat you could finish the day as Towns top scorer.
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Marshalls_Mullet added 09:27 - Sep 28 Contract is up at the end of the season so starts making an effort? Sod off Ellington you waster.
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TR11BLU added 09:33 - Sep 28 I obviously watched a different game to many of the posters on here as I didnt see anything in his display Saturday. In keeping with his 18 or so months here, waste of money and cant believe Jewell didnt personally drive him to Nottingham or Bristol. If we are relying on him at Barnsley we are in big trouble.
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JustSpivvyChops added 09:48 - Sep 28 Let's hope he bangs in a couple of goals in and surprises a few people..........come on Duke!
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King_of_Portman_Rd added 10:38 - Sep 28 Wouldn't be ironic if Ellington ended up saving Jewell's job
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Warkys_Tash added 11:25 - Sep 28 @TR11BLU, I am no Ellington fan as I believe he could have broken into the team earlier and made a decent effort at ITFC before now. However, it appears you were watching a different game to everyone else ;o) Ellington ran his socks off & caused all sorts of problems for Charlton, had he been more match fit/sharper then he may have got a goal. Put a bet on him for Saturday to find the net.

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Ipswich24 added 11:27 - Sep 28 With regards Lee Martin contract, why does PJ keep saying I think he has held talks with Evans/Clegg you are the flipping manager surely you know what is going on?
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runningout added 16:16 - Sep 28 Good luck Nathan, will be there backing you all the way..
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bluey123 added 17:13 - Sep 28 Hope Barnsley win 6-0 and we get rid of that prat Jewell
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bluey123 added 17:13 - Sep 28 Hope Barnsley win 6-0 and we get rid of that prat Jewell
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TimmyH added 19:40 - Sep 28 Amazing 1 game and people think he's the answer, can consider himself lucky he's still here after last season's non showing, but wish him all the best if he does start.
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Talbs77 added 20:32 - Sep 28 I just cant see him suddenly becoming this good player, he's been here long enough, we would know by no if he could do a job. However we dont seem to have much choice do we, lets hope I'm wrong and the man scores a hatrick!
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