Boss Paul Jewell says he’s disappointed that details of Town’s attempt to sign Preston’s Sean St Ledger were made public. The Blues were first linked with a £2.5 million move for the Irish international defender last week with Preston chairman Maurice Lindsay confirming that his club had turned down Town’s offer yesterday.
Jewell said: "I’m a bit disappointed with that. It’s great for you guys [the press] but it’s no good for us.
"I know the owner spoke to Maurice Lindsay, I spoke to Phil Brown first and then it went to owner level, and they quoted us a fee.”
The Town boss says he knows Lindsay, who was chairman of Wigan Warriors rugby league club during Jewell’s time as manager of Wigan Athletic, and spoke to him about St Ledger prior to taking over at Portman Road.
The Blues manager said: "Maurice, who I know really well, must think I’ve got a short memory because I was speaking to him about six weeks ago and he was talking about Sean St Ledger and told me what price he’d be really happy with, and it’s gone up £1 million! He must think I’ve got a touch of Alzheimer’s or something!”
Town could still move for St Ledger or any other Football League player on a short-term basis, perhaps with a view to a permanent move, when the 'emergency' loan window opens next week.