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.