Town boss Paul Jewell says he faced an anxious wait last week while new midfielder Lee Bowyer was abroad on holiday. The Blues manager was worried that one of a number of other interested parties — including Bowyer’s former club Leeds — might nip in and steal the 34-year-old, who is set to make his second appearance for Town in tonight’s friendly at Den Bosch (KO 7pm local time).

Jewell said: “It’s been going on for a while. We were trying to keep it as quiet as possible. He was on holiday last week and we were a bit nervous in case someone nicked him.

“I was speaking to Simon Grayson [on Monday] and they were in for Lee and I’m sure plenty of other clubs in this division were, and a couple of Premier League clubs too. We’re all chasing the same players.”

The Blues boss says that things progressed quickly once the ex-Charlton, West Ham, Newcastle and Birmingham man was back in the country: “I met him at the hotel on Saturday, he signed Sunday and he was on the 10-to-seven flight on Monday.”

Bowyer in action in Tuesday's win at FC Eindhoven

Jewell had no qualms about signing the one-time England man, despite his controversial past: “We’ve signed him to play football. Show me a man who’s never made me a mistake and I’ll show you a liar.”

Meanwhile, the Blues boss is reported to have been impressed with striker Jason Scotland since the squad returned for pre-season training at the beginning of the month.

Town are currently in talks with Swansea regarding the 32-year-old’s proposed return to the Liberty Stadium but Jewell may not necessarily be prepared to do a deal if Scotland continues to do well.

The Town manager is waiting to hear whether a bid for another striker has been successful, as well as an offer for a wideman.

Photo: Action Images

thorpedo added 08:14 - Jul 14 Scotland IS a decent player at this level - I am still convinced by it. Give him a partner and a midfield that actually creates chance and he will do quite well. I realise I am in a minority but I hope he stays. Ball in to his feet in the box and he is so strong (and maybe a bit too 'heavy'!) that he is so hard to mark - can either turn the defender and shoot (which he is adept at) or lay the ball back to an attacker midfielder who knows when to make his runs (Bowyer).

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Vexorg added 08:18 - Jul 14 Agreed thorpedo. I keep reminding people that he had a messed up pre-season last year as he was on his way out of Wigan and so may have missed out on that crucial month of conditioning that he seemed to lack when he joined us. Give him a chance ..
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BLUEBEAT added 08:18 - Jul 14 "Meanwhile, the Blues boss is reported to have been impressed with striker Jason Scotland since the squad returned for pre-season training at the end of the month." of course you're going to say that - would be silly to say he's crap if he's in the shop window. Coppinger to sign on Thursday garbled the club's solicitor in a drunken stupor last night.
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Gazelle added 08:24 - Jul 14 Suggest we stop making comments on the performances of our strikers last season because of the crap service they were getting.
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howsey51 added 08:24 - Jul 14 I agree that both Scotland AND priskin could be good at this level with decent service. I think porno Paul is pushing the price up here though ;)
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Keaneish added 08:32 - Jul 14 Bristol City have received multiple bids for Maynard....mmm...
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BlueBoots added 08:37 - Jul 14 "The Town manager is waiting to hear whether a bid for another striker has been successful, as well as an offer for a wideman" ""I was speaking to Simon Grayson [on Monday]""... Must have been just after PJ put his double bid in for Luciano Becchio and Max Gradel!
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Bergholtblue added 08:38 - Jul 14 The lack of service to the striker was a key factor in the lack of goals last season. I has to be adddressed this season or even Chopra will struggle to score. Two up front is a must.
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youidiots added 08:41 - Jul 14 The problem with Scotland is that hes not the same player he was 5 odd years ago and I think he really struggled playing up top on his own. He shows glimpses of what he can do but I swear that blokes foot is made of concrete, his first touch is dreadful!!!!
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bedsitfc added 08:44 - Jul 14 blueboots you maybe looking into that too much but i wouldn't complain if it was one of them or howson.
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johnhazelbum added 08:55 - Jul 14 Wow, this is a really excitibg story about how we signed a player and PJ had to wait to recieve a reply. At least it's different from PJ waitng and not sirgning someone. 2 offers made, will we ever hear back?
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Mark added 09:10 - Jul 14 “We've signed him to play football. Show me a man who's never made me a mistake and I'll show you a liar.” Jewell has a wonderful ability to say the right thing in any situation it seems to be, what a great manager. As for Priskin and Scotland it is true that their service has been poor and I think they could do a bit better with a decent midfield behind them. However we shouldn't kid ourselves too much. Priskin scored only 2 goals in 15 games for QPR and Swansea during his loan spells there, and their midfields were pretty good, plus at Watford he hardly scored aside from his one good season. Scotland scored just 1 in 32 games at Wigan before Ipswich, and I don't see him bursting into life too much now he is 32.

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gypo added 09:11 - Jul 14 Like I've said before and it proved right against Preston at home play Scotland with a strike partner and he's a total different player.But on his own I agree he's not as effective . Chopra did mention this about himself in a post the other day when he said he'll get us 20 goals so does this mean if he plays on his own our resident moaners will get on his back !!
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daniel9624 added 09:24 - Jul 14 Beginning to think the striker in Nicky Maynard, after it emerged yesterday that he wants t otalk to Bristol after they rejected 3 bids!
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BrettenhamBlue added 09:34 - Jul 14 We need to up the anti now and get our targets. IMO still need- A goalkeeper to compete with Fulop Central Defender (Experienced please) A recognised quality Right-Back 2 midfielders (At the VERY least...). Can be young and unproven- we need numbers. Its a long season ahead. A striker to replace Wickham A striker to replace Scotland (IF he goes...) Thats another 7 signings minimum that I think we need if we are going to be top 6 this season. Would love to see us push out the boat a bit for Jimmy Bullard- he is a great character and useful on the pitch and the dressing room.

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Bergholtblue added 10:59 - Jul 14 I agree PJisagod. Leicester have made soem very good signings having just captured Konchelsky from Liverpool and are still being linked with Maynard, Owen hargreaves and a host of others. They will be force next season and the 3 from the Prem will also be threat. If we are to compete at the highest level we ned to get some more quality in.
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runningout added 11:52 - Jul 14 Dont like the idea of being too anxious if Bowyer or any other so called proffessional footballer was to sign or not... If players these days dont want to come. So be it.. Glad he joined of course.. but please lets not over-hype anyone.
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Garv added 12:48 - Jul 14 Corr he does look old doesn't he!
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robdaful added 14:45 - Jul 14 Glad you got the man you wanted, Jewell.
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BangkokBlue added 15:28 - Jul 16 'Show me a man who's never made me a mistake and I'll show you a liar' Well yes, but most people's mistakes don't involve chasing down and beating up asian students.
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