Midfielder Jimmy Bullard and boss Paul Jewell are reported to have fallen out over the player’s refusal to relocate from his home in Cobham, Surrey to a new base nearer to Town. Bullard was dropped to the bench for Saturday’s game against Watford after a series of under-par performances.
The commitment of Bullard - who is said to be the club’s highest earner on a wage of £18,000-a-week — is also claimed to have been questioned by team-mates, an "Ipswich insider” telling the Daily Mail: "Jimmy has been bragging about his wages and some of the players are unimpressed by this, as well as his attitude when he larks about in training.
"The gaffer has told him he is unlikely to play if he doesn’t make the effort to move into the area.”
Previous managers Roy Keane and George Burley have similarly demanded that their players live close to the club. Keane fell out with Ben Thatcher and Kevin Lisbie over their refusal to move to Suffolk.
Bullard’s form has dipped in recent weeks during the club's seven-game run of defeats, having been one of the key performers during the earlier good run which saw the Blues into the play-off places.
The 33-year-old signed on a free transfer in the summer after his contract had been terminated by former club Hull City, having enjoyed a hugely successful loan spell at Portman Road last season.