Leicester City manager Ian Holloway has decided to give up his attempts to sign players from his former club Plymouth Argyle. The ex-Pilgrims boss recently had bids for Town target David Norris and veteran striker Barry Hayles turned down by the Home Park club.
Current Plymouth manager Paul Sturrock said over the weekend that his club would not sell players to Leicester due to the bad feeling towards Holloway amongst supporter since he left the West Country for the East Midlands.
Now Holloway says he will look elsewhere for new recruits: "I have decided to pull out of the Plymouth scenario because I am very proud of the players I brought there.
"I don't know what's getting about but I don't like it. It is very damaging. I was very proud of the Plymouth fans and I don't want to go and raid their team. I am going to move on and find other targets.
"My chairman talked to their chairman and I didn't like the reaction, so I have put it all to rest and it is time to move on."
Town boss Jim Magilton made an enquiry regarding Norris in the close season and is expected to return for him in January. Southampton, whose current poor financial state appears to rule them out of the race, failed with bids of £700,000 and £1 million for the 26-year-old in the summer.
Crystal Palace are also tipped to make a move in January, while Plymouth chairman Paul Stapleton has said he will offer Norris a new contract in the New Year. The former Bolton, Boston and Hull City man's current deal is up at the end of June 2009.
Norris joined the Pilgrims in December 2002 for £25,000 from Bolton, who as part of that deal will receive 50% of the fee should Plymouth sell the midfielder.