Town boss Paul Jewell has confirmed that Leicester central defender Sean St Ledger is one of the two signings he is hoping to make before the Blues face Birmingham at St Andrew’s next Wednesday. Jewell has already approached the Foxes regarding St Ledger, who he targeted when he was at Preston last January, again in the summer and with whom the Blues were linked yesterday.
Jewell said: "I’ve spoken to Leicester about Sean St Ledger’s availability. He is someone we’re interested in and are trying to pursue.
"There are a few clubs in for him, one from Serie A. Whether we can get Sean to come here remains to be seen.
"Leicester have said they’ll be prepared to do something and we’re still talking to them to see if we can get the lad to come here.”
The Town boss, who is looking to take the 27-year-old on an initial loan with a view to a permanent deal with no fee yet agreed between the clubs, is hoping to speak to the player today: "I’ve spoken with Nigel Pearson, I’ve spoken to assistant manager Steve Walsh and I’ve spoken to the agent to see if he would be interested.
"He said he’d got a bit of interest from a lot of clubs in the Championship and one in Italy. I’m hoping that I can speak to Leicester and have a chat with the player today.”
St Ledger, who is 5ft 11in tall, was recently transfer-listed by Leicester following a row with Pearson after he was omitted from their side taking on the Blues on Boxing Day.
The Birmingham-born defender only signed a three-year deal at Leicester in the summer after making a £1.2 million move from Preston, having started his career with Peterborough and having had a loan spell at Middlesbrough during his five years at Deepdale.
St Ledger, who has been capped 20 times by Ireland, scoring two goals, has subsequently made only 10 starts and two substitute appearances for the Foxes, leading to his fall-out with Pearson.
Meanwhile, Jewell dismissed the recent link with Newcastle veteran Alan Smith and rumours claiming Crystal Palace keeper Julian Speroni and Millwall midfielder James Henry were Blues targets, although he admitted that the latter had previously been on his radar: "He was early in the season, but he isn’t now.”
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